The race for Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage has officially ramped up with at least four clubs (Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong and St Kilda) reportedly eager to snare him from the Queensland state.
Originally from South Warrnambool (country Victoria), the Lions drafted McCluggage with Pick 3 in the 2016 AFL Draft and have recently tabled a six-year offer to keep the restricted free agent one-club player.
However, the 26-year-old has yet to re-sign as options galore are set to come hard and fast, with the Herald Sun revealing "offers in the vicinity of $1.3 million to return home to Victoria."
The Saints have made it abundantly clear they will attack the free agency market for top-end talent while Essendon proved its success when luring Ben McKay (North Melbourne), Jade Gresham (St Kilda)ย and Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) through the same means while trading in Xavier Duursma (Port Adelaide).
Geelong wants to add to its midfield stocks that have seen a meteoric rise from youngsters Tanner Bruhn, Jhye Clark, Jack Bowes and Brandan Parfitt in the opening seven weeks.
While Collingwood's repositioning of the salary cap mess that saw gun players like Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Tom Phillips and Jaidyn Stephenson walk out the door for nothing, is now in a stronger stance, especially given the potential retirements of some of their stars (Jeremy Howe, Steele Sidebottom, Mason Cox, Scott Pendlebury).
However, given where McCluggage stands in the Lions' pecking order (financial status), offers for the midfielder will need to be out of this world otherwise the 2023 grand finalists will likely match the bid.
This will force clubs into a trade if Brisbane were to entertain the idea of the four-time All-Australian squad representative playing in different colours.
For reference, Geelong engineered three first-round picks (13, 15 and 20) for Jeremy Cameron and two second-round picks in return.
This comes as best mate and fellow Lions midfielder Jarrod Berry is likely to stay put in Queensland despite rival interest.
Forced to play out of position, Berry has found himself across the halfback and on the wing albeit wanting more time as an inside midfielder.
The club has reportedly put forward a multi-year deal, according to theย Herald Sun, and could be signed in the coming weeks.
The rumour mill started swirling as the 26-year-old was forced on the outer due to the inclusions of Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher in the side while Levi Ashcroft is still to come in.
