Brisbane star Hugh McCluggage becomes first 2016 draftee to reach 150 games

“I really do love it here,” McCluggage told Code Sports ahead of game 150 on Saturday.

“Obviously you don’t know what’s around the corner and what might happen, but I’m extremely happy at the minute and love running out there alongside the boys and going to work with them each day.

“The camaraderie we have in the group has been the best thing. I love coming into the club every day and mixing it with so many different personalities and I think that’s something we do really well.

“I love this city, I love the fact we have the history with Fitzroy and the Bears and now as the Lions, and I love the relaxed lifestyle of living up here in Queensland.”

The boy from Warrnambool, who landed at the Lions with the No. 3 selection in the 2016 draft, will become the first player from his draft class to reach 150 games when he runs out to face the Crows at the Gabba.

In seven seasons McCluggage has missed just five games and his resume to this point rivals some of Brisbane’s all-time greats.

Only Tom Rockliff and Simon Black had more career disposals ahead of game 150.

A perennial All-Australian squad member, the Lions’ emergence as a regular top four contender came not long after the smooth-moving midfielder arrived at the Gabba.

His availability and consistency has made him a key cog in arguably the best midfield in the competition.

Still just 25, McCluggage dreams of one day captaining the club.

“I’d love to strive towards that,” he said.

“Harris (Andrews) is still quite young and Lachie (Neale) is doing a great job, so you never know what will happen there but I’m just trying to get better as a leader and as a player.

“I just want us to be as successful as possible for as long as possible. Whether I’m captain or vice-captain, it doesn’t really matter to me so long as we’re achieving.”

Taking on the vice-captaincy this season has added a new layer of personal accountability that McCluggage has relished.

“Things have definitely changed, probably not so much with the responsibilities that I’ve had but more so what I’ve expected from myself,” he said.

“I’m probably spending more time thinking about things that are happening on-field and off-field and trying to help everyone else around me get better as well as myself. That’s probably the little bit of a change from over the past few years.

“As part of my leadership role this year I feel like I’m the person who bridges the older guys – Zorks, Richy, Ryan Lester etc. – and the younger guys coming through.

“I still feel like I’m young – which I am, 25 is still quite young – and hopefully there’s a bit of time left in the system.

“But at the same time you do shoulder a bit more responsibility because now that you have played a lot of games you’ve got all that experience and you need to be performing and helping those younger guys coming through as well.”

On Thursday, Brisbane announced it had set a new record of 52,373 members.

For some players, escaping the Victorian footy bubble can be an appealing reason to play at a Queensland club.

And while the same rings true for McCluggage, he wants the Lions fly the flag for footy in the Sunshine State and help return the club to its powerhouse days of the early 2000s three-peat era.

“To see the city get behind us and see AFL really flourish in the state and the local clubs do well has been exciting,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing the club grow and I’m just grateful I came at a time we were starting to improve and now we’re pushing to be the best club we can be on and off the field.

“You always want to be relevant in the state you play in and the crowds we’re getting now are testament to that.

“That kind of support definitely lifts you throughout the week and makes you want to do well, for the town and the people that support the club.”

The easiest way to muster support is to win – and though the Lions have done plenty of that over the past four seasons, they are yet to get past the preliminary final hurdle.

McCluggage says this is the group to go all the way.

“I feel like we’ve had the group to challenge for the last three or four years,” he said.

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“We’ve added a few bits and pieces to our game this year and our younger guys are playing really well, which is important.

“We’ll keep adding and tinkering with things until we find the right mix.

“Obviously a lot has to go right (to win a premiership) but I’m really confident that this group, if we play our best footy, can challenge anyone.”