Hayden McLean
| Hayden McLean | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 McLean in 2019 playing for Sydney in the NEAFL | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 20 January 1999 | ||
| Original team(s) | Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | Pre-season supplemental selection, 2019 | ||
| Debut | Round 18, 2019, Sydney vs. Fremantle, at Optus Stadium | ||
| Height | 197 cm (6 ft 6 in) | ||
| Weight | 93 kg (205 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Ruckman/key forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Sydney | ||
| Number | 41 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2019– | Sydney | 6 (1) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of the 2019 season. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Hayden McLean (born 20 January 1999) is an Australian rules footballer playing for Sydney in the Australian Football League (AFL). A 1.97-metre tall who can play as a ruckman or key forward, McLean began his career in the TAC Cup before a season in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was recruited by Sydney on the eve of the 2019 season as a pre-season supplemental selection, and made his AFL debut later that year.
Junior career
McLean played junior football for the Beaumaris Sharks[1] before joining the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup.[2] He also was a member of the AFL Academy – spending time at the Sydney Swans as part of the development program[3] – and represented Vic Metro at the AFL Under 18 Championships. In 2017, McLean became Sandringham's captain and Vic Metro's vice-captain, but was overlooked in the 2017 AFL draft.[2][3]
He began playing in the VFL for the Sandringham Zebras, who were affiliated with AFL club St Kilda. McLean played 13 matches in 2018, averaging 5.2 marks, 10.3 hit-outs and 13.2 disposals[4] and rucking against AFL-listed players including Matthew Leuenberger, Braydon Preuss and Zac Smith. He was also named the club's best first-year player for 2018.[2] McLean trained with St Kilda in November, hoping to be selected in the 2018 AFL draft,[5] and was named by Fox Sports, which considered him similar to Adelaide ruck/forward Josh Jenkins, as a likely mature-age recruit.[6] However, he was again overlooked and moved to Adelaide to play with South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club South Adelaide in 2019.[2]
AFL career
McLean was recruited by Sydney in March 2019 as a pre-season supplemental selection to cover the loss of defender Jack Maibaum to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.[4] His recruitment also increased the club's depth of tall players after Kurt Tippett's retirement.[2] McLean's selection was criticised by SANFL officials, as it deprived South Adelaide of an important recruit only a fortnight before their 2019 season began, leaving them unable to find a replacement in time.[7] McLean spent most of his first season in Sydney's North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) side, before a call-up to the AFL team in round 18 – a challenging match-up rucking alongside Robbie Fox against Fremantle veteran Aaron Sandilands.[8] He played three more matches to finish the season and extended his contract with Sydney to 2020.[9]
References
- ^ Gates, Zachary (15 March 2019). "McLean thrilled as Swans surprise". sydneyswans.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Cleary, Mitch (12 March 2019). "Swans fill final list spot with South Australian big man". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ a b Ryan, Peter (12 March 2019). "Sydney Swans add South Adelaide's Hayden McLean via rookie list". The Age. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ a b Balmer, Matt (12 March 2019). "Sydney add tall Hayden McLean to playing list". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (5 November 2018). "Saints put state league pair on trial as 2018 draft looms". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ Olle, Sarah (13 November 2018). "AFL draft 2018: Mature-age VFL stars AFL clubs should consider at national and rookie drafts". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ Sutton, Malcolm (25 March 2019). "AFL injuries bode poorly for state leagues with mid-season draft looming". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ Rugari, Vince (19 July 2019). "Swans back rookie ruck to handle the AFL's biggest challenge". The Age. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ "Swans re-sign five, including former US college basketballer". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
External links
- Hayden McLean's profile on the official website of the Sydney Swans
- Hayden McLean's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Hayden McLean at AustralianFootball.com