Hugh McCluggage bounces back in style in the premiership run of the Brisbane Lions, getting revenge on Geelong Cats from earlier in the finals series

Hugh McCluggage had more than the usual pre-grand final jitters this week.

The All-Australian is one of the game’s best and most consistent midfielders, but won a paltry 14 disposals while dealing with Oisin Mullin’s close tag in the Lions’ comprehensive qualifying final loss to Geelong three weeks ago.

Lions stars Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage. Credit: AFL Photos

McCluggage played like a man on a mission in his next two finals – gathering 33 disposals in the Lions’ semi-final win over Gold Coast, then 37 more as they overcame Collingwood last week.

All that was left was to exact revenge against Mullin and the Cats in Saturday’s grand final.

It wasn’t instant, but that is precisely what McCluggage and his teammates eventually enjoyed, piling on 13 goals to six after half-time