The key differences between McCluggage and McStay that has Lions confident in change of fate

Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage has not yet committed to the Lions.

The 26-year-old co-vice captain is out of contact this year and will become a restricted free agent if he does not re-sign with his current club.

McCluggage reportedly has a six-year deal on the table from the Lions, while rival clubs including Adelaide, Essendon, Geelong and St Kilda continue to show interest.

Coach Chris Fagan believes the 165-gamer from South Warrnambool, despite the outside interest, is loving his time in Brisbane and has given no hint that he wants to up and leave anytime soon.

“Every noise that Hughie has made whenever he’s spoken publicly, he talks about how much he loves the club and how much he wants to stay here,” Fagan said on SEN Breakfast.

“I think it’s the normal process that’s taking place. To be honest, I haven’t spoken to him about it. I stay out of those issues, I just coach and leave that sort of thing to the list management team and his own manager (David Trotter).

“Hughie is in our leadership group, he’s a much-loved player at our club and I think he enjoys every moment that he spends here. So, I’m trusting that’s the way that it will continue for many years to come.”

In a similar situation just recently, Dan McStay was pondering his own future at the Lions during the 2022 season before settling on a move to Collingwood.

Fagan was asked if he has to restrain himself from having conversations with players in order to convince them to stay.

“I remember with Dan McStay and that went on for a while,” Fagan added.

“In the end I had a conversation with him before he went to Collingwood because I just believed that he was going to go, I convinced myself of that.

“I just wanted him to feel comfortable with the games he had left at the club, to play his best footy and not feel guilty about the fact that he might be going.

“That’s probably the only time I’ve ever had a conversation with a player (about their future), but that was more to ease the burden on him.

“I’m not sensing that with Hughie. I’m hoping I don’t get to that point.

“That’s where I see that.”

Fagan admits it is no lay down misère that even if he had an honest chat with McCluggage that it would lead to him remaining a Lion.

“Dan McStay is the only one I’ve had any experience with and he went to Collingwood, so I’m not going too well there,” he laughed.

McCluggage was subbed out at three-quarter time of his side’s 119-point win over Richmond on Saturday night with calf tightness after picking up 16 disposals and laying six tackles.

He averages 26 touches, 4.9 inside 50s and 4.7 clearances in 2024.