McLean kicked the door down. Now the Swans have a selection headache
Sydney Swans forward Hayden McLean has proven patience is a virtue. The majority of the season was spent in the VFL, with 20 goals scored in seven matches. He’s in good form but still hasn’t been able to break into the Swans’ regular forward line of Charlie Curnow, Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey on a consistent basis.
McLean waited eight rounds to make his AFL debut this season, kicking three goals against North Melbourne, before being relegated back to the VFL for two games. On Saturday McLean returned and kicked four goals against Richmond in his 100th AFL game. McLean is doing everything asked of him and there is still no guarantee of selection against St Kilda next Sunday.
Speaking after the game, McLean admitted he had difficulty letting go of the forward after Cox’s performance at North Melbourne. McLean brought his close friend Isaac Heeney to the feedback meeting with Cox, and although dissatisfied, he left extremely determined to continue performing.
“There were a lot of honest conversations with Coxy throughout the week, he was open and honest with me,” McLean said.
“It was probably one of the toughest decisions he ever made (leaving McLean after North Melbourne), he said. I know I have to keep trying to knock down the door.”
McLean kicked the door off the hinges against a young and raw Richmond team and also contributed six hits as a reserve ruckman.
McLean was providing comfort in the stoppages to Peter Ladhams, who also understood the waiting game at the Swans very well.
Like McLean, Ladhams was outstanding in the VFL but fell victim to competing against one of the game’s best players in Brodie Grundy.
While Grundy rested and took advantage of the opportunity, the Ladhams were finally given the opportunity to play their first AFL match of the season against Richmond. McLean said the similar experiences they had this season brought them closer together.
“I think we relied on each other a lot this year and I actually learned a lot from him,” McLean said.
“I actually really enjoy the game, I like to play forward but sometimes you can go into midfield and control your own possession and try to get in there and be another midfielder.
“I really enjoy that physical side of the game, I think it’s something I like to put my position and stand out difference.
“For us, you just control what you can and try to have fun. At the end of the day we’re a winning club and we’re a great club, so sometimes you’ve got to take what you can get.”
Cox praised the Ladhams and McLean for their patience but believed both players would be needed more as the season progressed.
“We talked about football seasons at the beginning of the year, they are long years and everyone on the team needs to get to where they want to get to,” Cox said.
“That’s probably easier said than done, but both players (Ladhams and McLean) to their credit… have been incredible in their attitude towards the team and what’s required.
“The tough part is you have to be as honest with them as possible. They got on board, came back and played extremely well at VFL level and then when they got the AFL opportunity they were ready to go.”
