Kane Cornes would baulk, if he were Brisbane, at the reported cost that it could take to keep Hugh McCluggage at the club.
According to multiple reports, the free agent could command up to $1.3 million a season as rivals circle, but Cornes says he wouldn’t pay the Lion any more than $1 million a season.
While he thinks McCluggage is a nice player, he doesn’t think he is worth that huge price tag.
Cornes isn’t sure that McCluggage impacts enough when games are there to be won.
The Victorian has also never made an All-Australian team across his seven seasons at the level.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Cornes asked co-host David King what he would pay the midfielder if he were the Lions.
Cornes: “What do you think about when you hear Hugh McCluggage (could get) $1.3 million?
“When the game is really there to be won, is McCluggage a $1.3 (million player)?”
King: “You can't lose him. I mean, they’d become absolutely pedestrian if they didn't have McCluggage.
“They have to sign him for whatever the number is, you can't let him go.
“Can you see a world in which Brisbane contend without McCluggage?”
Cornes: “When the game is on the line, he’s not one for me that I'm looking to and going, ‘Jeez, didn't he stand up when we were really under pressure’.”
King: “You can’t let him go.”
Cornes: “He’s great when it's on his terms and things are going well and the ball movement is there and he's getting on the end of it.
“But when the game is genuinely up for grabs and you're under serious heat, I don't see him (as that player).”
King: “Keep him at whatever cost or let him go?”
Cornes: “There's a price.”
King: “What's the price?”
Cornes: “I wouldn't pay him any more than a million dollars (a year).”
King: “Well, you might lose him.”
Cornes: “Well, you've got to be prepared for that. Like Geelong, you've got to be prepared … Geelong were prepared to lose (Max) Holmes.
“There's a figure and if the figure gets ridiculous you've got to be prepared to walk away.”
McCluggage had 26 disposals and two clearances in Thursday’s 113-59 loss to GWS at Manuka Oval.
The Lion is averaging 25.9 disposals and 4.4 clearances a game so far in 2024.
