By Nick Wright

Copyright brisbanetimes

Brisbane Lions star Hugh McCluggage insists the defending champions can cast aside their limp collapse against Geelong less than three weeks ago, even if two key men fail in their recovery hopes.

Two-time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale is launching a desperate bid to overcome a calf injury sustained when the two sides clashed in a 38-point Cats triumph that left Brisbane’s prospects of a third-straight grand final appearance in doubt.

But the Lions responded emphatically – comfortable wins against the Gold Coast and Collingwood booking their place at the MCG – and McCluggage pointed to other season victories against Fremantle and Hawthorn without Neale as a sign they would not be deterred.

“Any time you add a player of that quality to your team, it’s going to make your team better. But we know that we can perform really well without him,” McCluggage said.