Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage has seen his coach throw support toward a push to see the Lions gun earn his maiden All-Australian blazer in 2025.
McCluggage is yet to be selected in the All-Australian team despite being named in the extended squad in four consecutive years from 2019-2022.
Originally a winger, the former Pick 3 selection was touted as arguably the best in his position across those four seasons, however All-Australian selectors would often pick inside ball winners on the flanks to accommodate for a long list of top line stars.
The past few seasons, McCluggage has been used as an inside asset under coach Chris Fagan, working alongside two-time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale and ex-Dog Josh Dunkley, who is also yet to earn All-Australian honours.
In 2025, McLuggage's form has seen him potentially surpass Neale and Dunkley to become arguably the Lions' best player, with his coach believing it's time for the South Warrnambool product to earn greater attention from All-Australian selectors.
The 27-year-old's outing against Essendon on Thursday night was arguably a career-best showing, with McCluggage amassing 41 disposals, 11 marks, seven clearances, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements, five score assists and four tackles in the three-goal win.
"Hughy McCluggage's game tonight was huge. That's a big game," Fagan said post-game.
"41 (disposals), five score assists, 11 score involvements, lots of clearances. I don't know how many times he kicked it inside 50, but that was a huge performance by him.
"He's probably worked harder on the defensive pressure side of his game (this year), both to get his body stronger and to get more involved in that. He had like 11 tackles last week. That's a part of his game that's grown.
"He's always been good with the ball. He's one of those fellas who's forever trying to improve.
"We talk about All-Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins an All-Australian guernsey. He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years really.
"What he does now and the leadership he displays around the footy club, he goes about it in a quiet manner, but he's effective and a silent assassin out there really."
Another top four finish for the Lions could see McCluggage named in the All-Australian side if he is deemed the best out of the Queensland club, however he won't be short of competition for midfield spots in 2025.
Western Bulldogs trio Ed Richards, Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore are likely in the mix, as are Gold Coast's Noah Anderson, Geelong's Bailey Smith, Collingwood's Nick Daicos, Sydney pair Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner, Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson, Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, Port Adelaide's Zak Butters and Essendon's Zach Merrett.
McCluggage's AFL Player Rating average for the year to date is 16.52, good for eighth overall among midfielders and his career-best by 3.66 over his next best season of 2024.
