'Silent assassin' fires, Lions relish tough run to bye
Brisbane's "silent assassin" has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All Australian blazer.
The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba.
He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback.
In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year.
"Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game," he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average.
"He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve.
"We talk about All Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one.
"He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years.
"He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really."
McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term.
It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks.
They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday.
They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye.
"Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight," he said.
Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games.
The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury.
"Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins," Fagan said.
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