McCluggage, who was drafted by the Lions with its third selection in last year’s National Draft, was a shining light in an otherwise difficult day for Brisbane, as it went down to GWS by 60 points.

McCluggage ended the day with 19 possessions, including nine score involvements and was named in Brisbane’s best players. Since recovering from an ankle injury he sustained during pre-season, McCluggage has played 10 games, showing great poise at AFL level.

The 19-year-old said it was a great honour to receive a nomination and felt fellow Rebel and Lions teammate Jarrod Berry would also receive one soon, having also consolidated himself in Brisbane’s line-up.

“It is a great honour to receive the nomination, I guess it’s a good reward for all the hard work so far. But at the same time (I’ve) got to keep working hard and trying to improve, there’s still a long way to go,” McCluggage told Lions TV.

“Bez (Jarrod Berry) and I are obviously good mates – there was a bit of competition. He would’ve like to get one as well, but he’s a good team player and he’s going to have one soon I reckon. He’s playing some really good footy, so there’s one coming pretty soon I reckon.”

McCluggage, who tips the scales at just 77kg, said he was focusing on improving his inside ball-winning ability and a couple of strong summers in the gym would be key to that.

The smooth-moving midfielder has spent a lot of time playing as a high half-forward this year, but has tapped into the knowledge of Brisbane’s A grade midfield. The likes of Dayne Beams, Tom Rockliff and Dayne Zorko all being among the best midfielders in the competition.

“The most important areas for me to continue to develop are building a little bit more size on my frame, my contested work and just building that capacity in my legs to run harder for longer to get to more dangerous spots and impact the contest a bit more.

“Blokes like Beama (Dayne Beams), Rocky (Tom Rockliff), the leadership group have been able to mentor me. Just through their knowledge of the game and not only off the field but on the field – they’re always talking and directing you.

“Ryan Lester in the forward line, he’s always barking instructions at me if I’m not in the right spots. It’s just that calming influence, there’s not too many older blokes in our team, but they all play their role out there and help all us young boys along.”

McCluggage joins Ballarat boy Dan Butler as 2017 AFL Rising Star nominees.