When Hugh McCluggage coolly dobbed his third goal against Essendon, it was firmly in the shadows of Lachie Neale's match-winning star turn.

But for both McCluggage and coach Chris Fagan, it was a crucial step forward.

The classy Lion has made his mark with his field kicking and workrate across 108 games, but hitting the scoreboard has proved more challenging.

After booting 15.22 last season and 8.21 in 2020 McCluggage homed in on his goal-kicking throughout pre-season.

"I'm getting the opportunities to have the shots but it's just finishing off has been my issue," he told AAP.

00:38

Classy Hugh Finish

Brisbane absorbed a wealth of Essendon forward pressure before Hugh McCluggage broke through for his first goal of the season.

"It was just nice to get a couple away (against Essendon)."

Fagan noted McCluggage had nailed two set shots and a left-foot snap against the Bombers, and stressed they were reward for effort.

"That's evidence of growth in Hugh, but that's no surprise to me or to us," Fagan said.

"He's an unbelievable young man who never stops trying to get better. So I hope for his sake and our sake that he does take his game to another level."

McCluggage, 24, has made a name for himself on the wing but expects to branch out this season.

"I'm just going to play a variety of different positions, getting forward, playing on a wing, which I know I can do, and also get through the midfield," he said.

"Just building through the year really, I'll push forward and hopefully kick a few goals.

01:05

Thanks For Going ALL IN Vic Fans

Felt like a home game down in Marvel on Saturday afternoon. Our Victorian fans were loud and proud.

"But I'm just really looking forward to hopefully developing some more and being part of some team success would be nice as well."

Brisbane are 2-0 for the first time since 2019, something McCluggage believed would hold them in good stead as they attempt to avoid more finals heartbreak.

"Last year we started poorly, we were 1-3 and we've put a lot of emphasis on the fact that you need to have a good start," McCluggage said.

"Because if you start behind the eight-ball then then it can be tough to drag back and we probably ran out of puff a little bit later on in the year.

"So it's nice to just get two wins on the board."

And McCluggage is more than happy to play second fiddle to Neale, who looks back to his brilliant best.

"This year he's just gone to another level," McCluggage said.

"He's as fit as I've ever seen him and you can see the first two rounds he's been hitting the scoreboard as well.

"It's really exciting, he's in great form."