Andrews lifts lid on new Lions leadership group

Two-time premiership skipper Harris Andrews has offered an insight into the leadership traits of new Lions co-captains Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage.

The Lions have made the grand final each year since Dunkley's arrival, and he has been earmarked as a future AFL captain as far back as his U18s days at Gippsland Power in 2015, with people around the program at the time labelling him the best leader they had seen come through.

"'Dunks' obviously sets the example by his actions. He does the small things well and leads the way out on the field with his defensive work and hunger, and he lives by really good standards off the field," Andrews told Zero Hanger.

"His ability to pressure the opposition makes my job a lot easier as a defender, and he plays with so much heart - he's so fierce and combative so it's a no-brainer to have him as a co-captain."

Like Dunkley, McCluggage has long been higher rated within the football club than outside it, with Andrews lauding his emotional intelligence and energy.

"‘Hughy' is someone I've had the pleasure of being alongside his journey the whole way. His emotional intelligence and ability to have a good feel of where the group is at is impressive - he's intuitive and knows how we can keep getting better," Andrews said. 

"He's a guy that in the middle of October, is driving it when we go back to running. He's super professional, really well connected with a lot of younger guys and is motivated to get the best for the club.

"It was great for Hugh to get the acknowledgement last year, but we've always valued his performance and contribution. Some of his ball use is the best in the league."

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Both players were instrumental to last year's premiership run, with Dunkley taking out the club's best and fairest and McCluggage finally recognised with a maiden All-Australian blazer.

The pair were promoted into the leadership positions following Lachie Neale stepping down in the off-season.

The promotion of Will Ashcroft, Jaspa Fletcher and recruit Oscar Allen into the group, at the expense of Neale, Charlie Cameron, the retired Oscar McInerney and the departed Brandon Starcevich.

Entering his fourth year as captain, Andrews indicated he had taken more of a front-foot approach with leadership as the newcomers settle into the demands of the roles.

"We've had a changing of the guard in the leadership group this year," Andrews said.

"The younger leaders are hungry to learn and as a guy who's getting close to 30, I want to keep driving and challenging those young guys to improve from a leadership perspective so eventually when I'm sitting at the Gabba drinking a few beers watching them run out the club's in a good space."