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Draft Profile Hugh McCluggage

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lionshine

lionshine

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Deserves his own thread. Could very well be the consensus number 1 draft pick come the end of the season. Will be very interesting to see how he performs in the U18 carnival because he is in excellent form at the moment.
 

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With there no clear #1 at the moment, McCluggage has a good chance of being up there. The Championships make a significant impression in the minds of recruiters.
 
He has had a very impressive Championships and he must he at the top end of most lists, if not top two.
Exciting prospect thats for sure.
 
Monocle said:
He has had a very impressive Championships and he must he at the top end of most lists, if not top two.
Exciting prospect thats for sure.
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Not quite everything that Vic Country were hoping for, but better than a number of their other highly rated players. Vic Country were the big disappointments of this year's carnival. A lot of highly ranked kids who did perform, but not enough and not always when it mattered.

The selling point on McCluggage is his disposal. That was very impressive. The way his kicks hit targets could be the difference in between 1st pick and 10th pick.
 

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juss said:
Very classy finisher
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If I hadn't seen McCluggage before today I would be wondering what all the fuss was about. He played for North Ballarat against an understrength Bendigo Pioneers outfit and did not impress me. I don't know what the stats were, but he was extremely quiet in the first half, only coming into notice in the 3rd quarter when the Rebels got a run on.
He was in the centre for just about every bounce and did not get a clearance. His direct opponents got quite a few.
He got run down from behind twice starting with a 10 m advantage.
I didn't see a lot of chasing or tackling from him either.
When I saw that he had been named best for North Ballarat today I laughed out loud. Many of his teammates were a LOT more effective. For one, Jarrod Berry.
When I got to QEO today a few moments after the first bounce I was really looking forward to seeing Koby Mutch against McCluggage in the middle (the way they had been named). I was very disappointed to see no sign of Mutch and having Atley, another potential matchup, playing for Geelong reserves. Oh well, I'll see how he goes.
Well, he had a number of opponents, sometimes as a tag, other times as a direct shootout. One of them was Isaac Miller, the brother of a lass I used to tutor. Miller had by far the better of the game, especially early when the Pios' aggression and pace gained them a half time lead.
North Ballarat had the best of the tap outs - Bendigo has only one undersized ruckman and even rucked 16 year old Tom Campbell in the last quarter. And they got a fair few clearances, but McCluggage - I honestly didn't see him get one and I was specially looking for that in his game.
One things that still impressed me today was his disposal. The Pioneers were ordinary at times by foot, but every time McCluggage got the ball it went to a team mate. He kicked 2 good goals as well.
In the 3rd quarter North Ballarat got on top and really pounded the Pios. Then McCluggage got a bit more of the ball.
And he was OK in the last, but it was all over bar the shouting at that point.

Having seen him play before I was looking for a much stronger game from him today. He impressed me a lot at the Carnival, with his decision making, disposal and the ability to find the ball. He was strong in the clearances, with good evasion. I was looking for it today and did not see it.

Not everybody plays well each week, and because I had seen him a bit, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But if today was the day that pick #1 was going to be determined, then he failed miserably. To see him named as best player just didn't make sense to me. Guys like Wheelahan, Beks and Drew were better for longer and honestly won their positions. Berry did nothing in the first half, but as a key forward after half time was unbeatable. He showed me something I had not seen before from him: the ability not just to go forward, but to play the role in the air and on the ground. He impressed me more than McCluggage today.
 
beowulf said:
If I hadn't seen McCluggage before today I would be wondering what all the fuss was about. He played for North Ballarat against an understrength Bendigo Pioneers outfit and did not impress me. I don't know what the stats were, but he was extremely quiet in the first half, only coming into notice in the 3rd quarter when the Rebels got a run on.
He was in the centre for just about every bounce and did not get a clearance. His direct opponents got quite a few.
He got run down from behind twice starting with a 10 m advantage.
I didn't see a lot of chasing or tackling from him either.
When I saw that he had been named best for North Ballarat today I laughed out loud. Many of his teammates were a LOT more effective. For one, Jarrod Berry.
When I got to QEO today a few moments after the first bounce I was really looking forward to seeing Koby Mutch against McCluggage in the middle (the way they had been named). I was very disappointed to see no sign of Mutch and having Atley, another potential matchup, playing for Geelong reserves. Oh well, I'll see how he goes.
Well, he had a number of opponents, sometimes as a tag, other times as a direct shootout. One of them was Isaac Miller, the brother of a lass I used to tutor. Miller had by far the better of the game, especially early when the Pios' aggression and pace gained them a half time lead.
North Ballarat had the best of the tap outs - Bendigo has only one undersized ruckman and even rucked 16 year old Tom Campbell in the last quarter. And they got a fair few clearances, but McCluggage - I honestly didn't see him get one and I was specially looking for that in his game.
One things that still impressed me today was his disposal. The Pioneers were ordinary at times by foot, but every time McCluggage got the ball it went to a team mate. He kicked 2 good goals as well.
In the 3rd quarter North Ballarat got on top and really pounded the Pios. Then McCluggage got a bit more of the ball.
And he was OK in the last, but it was all over bar the shouting at that point.

Having seen him play before I was looking for a much stronger game from him today. He impressed me a lot at the Carnival, with his decision making, disposal and the ability to find the ball. He was strong in the clearances, with good evasion. I was looking for it today and did not see it.

Not everybody plays well each week, and because I had seen him a bit, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But if today was the day that pick #1 was going to be determined, then he failed miserably. To see him named as best player just didn't make sense to me. Guys like Wheelahan, Beks and Drew were better for longer and honestly won their positions. Berry did nothing in the first half, but as a key forward after half time was unbeatable. He showed me something I had not seen before from him: the ability not just to go forward, but to play the role in the air and on the ground. He impressed me more than McCluggage today.
Click to expand...
beowulf said:
If I hadn't seen McCluggage before today I would be wondering what all the fuss was about. He played for North Ballarat against an understrength Bendigo Pioneers outfit and did not impress me. I don't know what the stats were, but he was extremely quiet in the first half, only coming into notice in the 3rd quarter when the Rebels got a run on.
He was in the centre for just about every bounce and did not get a clearance. His direct opponents got quite a few.
He got run down from behind twice starting with a 10 m advantage.
I didn't see a lot of chasing or tackling from him either.
When I saw that he had been named best for North Ballarat today I laughed out loud. Many of his teammates were a LOT more effective. For one, Jarrod Berry.
When I got to QEO today a few moments after the first bounce I was really looking forward to seeing Koby Mutch against McCluggage in the middle (the way they had been named). I was very disappointed to see no sign of Mutch and having Atley, another potential matchup, playing for Geelong reserves. Oh well, I'll see how he goes.
Well, he had a number of opponents, sometimes as a tag, other times as a direct shootout. One of them was Isaac Miller, the brother of a lass I used to tutor. Miller had by far the better of the game, especially early when the Pios' aggression and pace gained them a half time lead.
North Ballarat had the best of the tap outs - Bendigo has only one undersized ruckman and even rucked 16 year old Tom Campbell in the last quarter. And they got a fair few clearances, but McCluggage - I honestly didn't see him get one and I was specially looking for that in his game.
One things that still impressed me today was his disposal. The Pioneers were ordinary at times by foot, but every time McCluggage got the ball it went to a team mate. He kicked 2 good goals as well.
In the 3rd quarter North Ballarat got on top and really pounded the Pios. Then McCluggage got a bit more of the ball.
And he was OK in the last, but it was all over bar the shouting at that point.

Having seen him play before I was looking for a much stronger game from him today. He impressed me a lot at the Carnival, with his decision making, disposal and the ability to find the ball. He was strong in the clearances, with good evasion. I was looking for it today and did not see it.

Not everybody plays well each week, and because I had seen him a bit, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But if today was the day that pick #1 was going to be determined, then he failed miserably. To see him named as best player just didn't make sense to me. Guys like Wheelahan, Beks and Drew were better for longer and honestly won their positions. Berry did nothing in the first half, but as a key forward after half time was unbeatable. He showed me something I had not seen before from him: the ability not just to go forward, but to play the role in the air and on the ground. He impressed me more than McCluggage today.
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He had 37 touches and 2 goals, you sir are a very hard man to impress.
 
Le Archie said:
He had 37 touches and 2 goals, you sir are a very hard man to impress.
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I must admit I did not know he had 37 touches. I am surprised. Not disappointed. I thought I was looking at the game closely......
The 2 goals I remember well. I was impressed with his disposal.
 
beowulf said:
I must admit I did not know he had 37 touches. I am surprised. Not disappointed. I thought I was looking at the game closely......
The 2 goals I remember well. I was impressed with his disposal.
Click to expand...
BENDIGO PIONEERS
Goal Kickers: J. Formosa 4, B. Henderson 3, D. Henderson, T. Campbell, S. Gunther, K. Kirby
Best Players: B. Blake, J. Formosa, B. Henderson, N. Twigg, I. Miller, T. Campbell
NORTH BALLARAT REBELS
Goal Kickers: S. Beks 5, J. Berry 3, K. Gray 2, H. McCluggage 2, J. Harrison 2, J. Wheelahan 2, T. Reed, J. Jones, T. Wason, C. Wellings
Best Players: H. McCluggage, S. Beks, J. Wheelahan, C. Wellings, W. Drew, J. Gow
 

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Bicks said:
BENDIGO PIONEERS
Goal Kickers: J. Formosa 4, B. Henderson 3, D. Henderson, T. Campbell, S. Gunther, K. Kirby
Best Players: B. Blake, J. Formosa, B. Henderson, N. Twigg, I. Miller, T. Campbell
NORTH BALLARAT REBELS
Goal Kickers: S. Beks 5, J. Berry 3, K. Gray 2, H. McCluggage 2, J. Harrison 2, J. Wheelahan 2, T. Reed, J. Jones, T. Wason, C. Wellings
Best Players: H. McCluggage, S. Beks, J. Wheelahan, C. Wellings, W. Drew, J. Gow
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Yes, I saw that yesterday. There were a few surprises for me, having watched it all afternoon. The guy just along was taking the official video of the game and the guy on the other side was a talent scout taking notes.
[1] Shannon Beks had a field day and was probably the only 4 quarter player on the ground. Bendigo had nothing to beat him and he took some really impressive marks.
[2] Wheelahan played probably the best game I have seen from him. He was one who lifted when the Rebels were in trouble in the first half.
[3] Drew had an excellent game. You could hear his team mates calling out for him all of the time.
[4] Tom Campbell: I taught Tom a couple of years back and was very interested in how he went. I thought he didn't do a lot, although he showed a lot of endeavour. I was very impressed to see him rucking late in the game, as his opponents were taller, stronger and older, but I wouldn't call him one of the best players.
[5] Twigg rucked pretty well against Meek, but neither of them was on the ground in the last quarter. I was impressed by Twigg's athleticism against a much larger opponent.
[6] Little Formosa could almost do imitations of Tyrion Lannister, he is that small. 166 cm according to the football record. His mop of hair looked longer than most of his body parts. But he had pace and kicked 4 good goals. As a small forward and sometime midfielder he could be well pleased with his day.
[7] McCluggage: don't know how I could miss 37 possessions. Makes me look like a complete idiot. But he really did very little in the first half and was always under pressure. But you have to love his kicking: like a cruise missile. Isaac Miller could be well pleased with his 1st half effort, even though he couldn't control Berry in the 3rd quarter.

Ah well, I would like to see the official video. I can see for myself what I missed. I know I got sunburnt, but I hadn't realized my brain had melted.
 
Eastern Rangers said:
Any footage of his kicking? was atrocious against WA at Subiaco, his kicks slow and generally held up on his team mates heads.
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I get along to most of the Rebels home games and have watched Hugh for 2 years now, kid is an absolute gun and his kicking is top shelf, was good last year as an under ager and just keeps taking his games to greater levels every time I see him. Here's some footage from last year...not too much wrong with that kicking.

 
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-11/is-mccluggage-the-man-for-no1

HUGH McCluggage's family farm houses about 600 cows and is spread over 700 acres of land.

He grew up at the Naringal property, about 20 minutes from Warrnambool in Victoria's south, and regularly helped his dad Sam in the process of milking and yarding the cows, harvesting on the tractor and running the dairy estate.

"We can see the neighbours from our place but they're a fair way away. There's paddocks and trees in between, so we've got plenty of goal posts to kick through," said McCluggage, who now lives in Ballarat and is shaping as the possible No.1 pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft.

"I don't head home as much as I did last year, but I love getting back there. I enjoy the open spaces where you can run around and let some energy off."

McCluggage hasn't had much trouble finding open space this season, a key factor in his rise to be one of the top prospects for the 2016 draft pool.

The midfielder's consistent and brilliant season has seen him head into the home straight of the year as perhaps the leading candidate for the first pick in an unusually open field. But even he didn't really see it coming.

"It's been a bit of a surprise, to be honest," he said.

McCluggage isn't the only person taken aback by his rise. The classy and composed midfielder arrived in Ballarat at the start of last year, having moved from Warrnambool to Clarendon College for a schooling opportunity.

He'd played in an under-16s carnival in 2014, but when the pre-season started for the Rebels' 2015 campaign, he wasn't sure if he was good enough to be there.

"I had my doubts then," the 18-year-old told AFL.com.au. "I was pretty disappointed with my under-16s carnival, even though it was only three games. I was a bit underdeveloped and timid and didn't know whether I belonged in that grade."

After some encouragement, McCluggage started training and was soon in the Rebels' team. He didn't have to show much to get noticed: he was clean in possession, set others up, and was a smart, crafty player around goal, albeit lightly built.
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