Lions urged to make Rayner statement as McCluggage value questioned

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has been urged to make a statement at selection when the Lions next play.

Last year’s Grand Finalists find themselves in a precarious position with just four wins and a draw from 11 matches which has them sitting 13th on the ladder.

In the wake of the Lions’ 25-point loss to Hawthorn on Sunday, Kane Cornes believes it’s time for Fagan to consider what he does with Cam Rayner.

The former No.1 draft pick was quiet against the Hawks, finishing with seven disposals, four tackles and three marks and this season is averaging less than 15 touches while kicking only eight goals.

“I think what Chris has done has been very loyal to his players at selection,” Cornes said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

“I’ve spoken about (Eric) Hipwood a lot. I think the next one is Rayner and what he’s failing to deliver.

“Does he need to make a statement at selection? We saw him do it with (Daniel) Rich and (Jack) Gunston, and then it sort of backfired on them because there were mixed messages publicly about how that went down and conflicting stories.

“That was a great statement and I thought it had a good benefit. They were easy players to drop at that stage of their career and they had replacements.

“Cam Rayner’s numbers: 14.5 touches, not even a goal a game, four score involvements (per game). Not good enough for a number one pick. He had three kicks on the weekend.

“Does he need to actually make a statement at selection to imprint his authority on his side and say that this performance isn’t good enough?”

Rayner’s best game this season came against Melbourne in Round 5 when he had 25 disposals, 10 inside 50s and nine clearances.

He has been unable to reach the 20-touch mark since that big night against the Demons and has had 10 clearances total in six games since.

Cornes’ co-panellist Matthew Lloyd also wanted to question the form of some key Lions including All-Australian forward Charlie Cameron and midfielder Hugh McCluggage.

In particular, he was unsure that the money being bandied around for McCluggage, who is out of contract this year, would be worth it.

“Charlie Cameron is another one. I can’t believe how he has dropped off with his consistency,” said Lloyd.

“On Hugh McCluggage, they’ve got a decision to make on what they do with him.

“Obviously they’d love to keep him, but you can’t be paying Hugh McCluggage the type of money that other clubs are going to want to pay him.

“A Melbourne club will fall into paying him well over $1 million in my opinion, but he doesn’t play like a $1 million player. That’s what Chad Warner or Isaac Heeney should be getting.

“He’s kicked 103 goals from 166 games, he kicks more points (118) than he kicks goals and I think he’s been less damaging this year than he’s ever been.

“Brisbane have got to be firm on what they decide to pay him.”

Following this weekend’s bye, the underperforming Lions meet the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on the Friday night of Round 13.