SEN host Andy Maher has made an interesting call about Hugh McCluggage’s future.
The Brisbane midfielder is a restricted free agent and is reportedly set to weigh up rival offers of $1.3 million a season to depart Queensland.
While St Kilda, Essendon and Collingwood have been linked to the 26-year-old, Herald Sun’s Jay Clark says that Geelong is also in the race for his services.
Even though other clubs could potentially offer McCluggage more to play for them, Maher thinks that Geelong is the most likely destination as he hails from South Warrnambool.
As a result, Maher envisions a world where the Cats land McCluggage for under market value.
“Here's a call. Put the red light on, record this,” Maher said on SEN The Run Home.
“Geelong will get Hughie McCluggage. Everybody wants him. But they won’t pay $1.3 million even though that’s the asking price.
“As a South Warrnambool boy. Would anyone be surprised?
“I don't think he leaves Brisbane, but if he does leave Brisbane, would anyone be surprised if he chooses Geelong and goes there way under what market forces were demanding for his services?”
Maher himself also believes that the $1.3 million asking price is overs for the Lion but he doesn’t expect that figure to scare off the Cats in their approach.
“I think $1.3 million is madness for Hughie,” Maher said.
“But you're only worth what people are going to pay you and if they can get $1.3 million then go your very hardest.
“That's what's been reported as offers coming his way from elsewhere. Geelong won't pay that, but it won't stop them from being right at the top of the queue to secure his services because that's what they do.”
McCluggage has played 162 games for the Lions since making his debut in the 2017 season.
