Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan says that the club would have picked their number three draft pick Hugh McCluggage at pick one had they had it at their disposal.
Both Essendon and the GWS Giants decided to overlook the midfielder with the opening two selections in the 2016 AFL National Draft, with the Bombers taking Andrew McGrath and the Giants going with Tim Taranto.
However Fagan says that the early signs from the Lions' pre-season training have confirmed their long-held thoughts on McCluggage, praising him amongst the new talent the club have acquired this year.
“Hugh McCluggage has special abilities and we were really pleased to get him at number three,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“I think if we had of had pick number one we’d have called his name out.
“He’s just one of those blokes who has the footy chip inside him. He knows where to go to get the footy. In all of our competitive games he seems to have his hands on the ball a lot and uses it pretty well.”
Fagan also touched on the progress of three of the club’s other draftees - Jarrod Berry, Frederick Cox and Alex Witherden.
“Jarrod Berry, he’s running machine, a big-bodied midfielder and with great leadership qualities – he’s impressed already,” the Brisbane coach said.
“Alex Witherden from Geelong Falcons is a beautiful kick. Frederick Cox we still can’t figure out whether he’s a right footer or a left footer, he’s a really exciting talent.
“We’ve got some good guys in that will add to the group. We’ve just got to get games of footy into them and need to work together and be cohesive. It’s an exciting time for the club and we are looking to improve significantly on where we were at last year.
Fagan also revealed that midfield star Dayne Beams is making significant progress from a season-ending knee injury sustained in round eight against former side Collingwood.
He only managed to play two games in 2016, having been sidelined early in the season with a similar injury concern.
“The last three weeks Dayne’s been joining in football training so he is much healthier than where he has been in the past,” Fagan said.
“We’ve got to look after him but it is great to have him out on the track. He is a real leader around the place and he is in good shape at the moment.”
Click here to view Dayne Beams' SEN Inside Football AFL Player Ratings.