Michael McLean
Footscray, Brisbane Bears and Brisbane
AFL career
183 games40 goals
- Debut
- R12 1983 v GEE13 June 1983
- Most recent
- R1 1997 v ADE30 Mar 1997
Stats
1997 | BRL | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 |
1996 | BRB | 5 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 6.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 21 |
1995 | BRB | 20 | 9.0 | 5.9 | 14.9 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 49 |
1994 | BRB | 18 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 17.2 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 51 |
1993 | BRB | 17 | 13.6 | 6.8 | 20.4 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 68 |
1992 | BRB | 5 | 11.4 | 7.2 | 18.6 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 66 |
1991 | BRB | 22 | 17.2 | 9.5 | 26.8 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 87 |
1989 | FSC | 12 | 12.9 | 5.7 | 18.6 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 65 |
1988 | FSC | 13 | 13.1 | 6.3 | 19.4 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 67 |
1987 | FSC | 8 | 11.0 | 7.3 | 18.3 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 57 |
1986 | FSC | 18 | 11.2 | 5.7 | 16.9 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | - | 0.4 | 0.4 | - |
1985 | FSC | 23 | 8.1 | 4.3 | 12.4 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.9 | - | 0.3 | 0.1 | - |
1984 | FSC | 14 | 8.2 | 4.7 | 12.9 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 | - | 0.2 | 0.2 | - |
1983 | FSC | 7 | 9.4 | 5.1 | 14.6 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | - | 0.1 | 0.6 | - |
Bio
Recruited from Nightcliff in the Northern Territory, Michael "Magic" McLean was a trailblazer for Top End talent entering the VFL. He arrived at Footscray in 1983 and quickly built a reputation as a silky-skilled utility, capable of playing on the wing or off a half-back flank. Known for his supreme balance, poise, and ability to find space in heavy traffic, McLean earned All-Australian honours in 1988. Despite his on-field brilliance, persistent soft-tissue injuries led to his controversial delisting by the Bulldogs after 95 games, a decision that stunned many observers but set the stage for a remarkable second act in Queensland.
McLean was thrown a lifeline by the Brisbane Bears with the first selection in the 1991 Pre-Season Draft and immediately repaid their faith. He transformed his game to become a more defensively accountable and physically resilient leader, winning the club's Best and Fairest award in both 1991 and 1993. A vital figure in helping the Bears mature into a competitive force, he served as vice-captain and played briefly for the merged Brisbane Lions before retiring in 1997. His legacy was immortalised with his selection on a half-back flank in the Indigenous Team of the Century, and he remains highly respected for his pioneering work in combating racism within the sport.
Profile
- Born
- 03 Mar 1965 (age 61y 232d)
- Height
- 180 cm
- Weight
- 84 kg
Teams
Honours
- Brisbane B&F(2×) 1991, 1993
- Brownlow Medal
- Top 10
- 1991
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Nightcliff in the Northern Territory, Michael "Magic" McLean was a trailblazer for Top End talent entering the VFL. He arrived at Footscray in 1983 and quickly built a reputation as a silky-skilled utility, capable of playing on the wing or off a half-back flank. Known for his supreme balance, poise, and ability to find space in heavy traffic, McLean earned All-Australian honours in 1988. Despite his on-field brilliance, persistent soft-tissue injuries led to his controversial delisting by the Bulldogs after 95 games, a decision that stunned many observers but set the stage for a remarkable second act in Queensland.
McLean was thrown a lifeline by the Brisbane Bears with the first selection in the 1991 Pre-Season Draft and immediately repaid their faith. He transformed his game to become a more defensively accountable and physically resilient leader, winning the club's Best and Fairest award in both 1991 and 1993. A vital figure in helping the Bears mature into a competitive force, he served as vice-captain and played briefly for the merged Brisbane Lions before retiring in 1997. His legacy was immortalised with his selection on a half-back flank in the Indigenous Team of the Century, and he remains highly respected for his pioneering work in combating racism within the sport.