Michael McLean (footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael McLean |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael McLean | ||
| Date of birth | 3 March 1965 | ||
| Original team | Nightcliff (NTFL) | ||
| Career highlights | |||
|
|||
Michael "Magic" McLean (born on March 3, 1965) is a famous former professional Australian rules football player. He played for three different teams in the Australian Football League (AFL): the Footscray Football Club, the Brisbane Bears, and the Brisbane Lions.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Football
Michael McLean grew up in the Northern Territory of Australia. As a young boy, he played both rugby league and Australian football. When he was fifteen, his father wanted him to focus on rugby league. However, Michael chose to continue playing Australian football.
He played his first senior games for the Nightcliff Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League. His talent was noticed by the Footscray Football Club, which led to him becoming a professional player.
Playing in the AFL
Footscray Bulldogs Career
Michael McLean moved to Victoria and started playing for Footscray in 1983. He quickly became known as a very skilled player who could run well on the wing. He played 95 games and scored 23 goals for the Bulldogs. Unfortunately, he suffered injuries to his ankle and calf, which made it hard for him to play his best. To overcome this, McLean worked hard to make his body stronger.
Brisbane Bears and Lions Career
After his time with the Bulldogs, Michael McLean was chosen as the very first pick in the 1991 pre-season draft by the Brisbane Bears. This was a fresh start for his career. He played incredibly well, winning the "best and fairest" award for the Bears in both 1991 and 1993. This award goes to the team's best player.
He played 87 games and kicked 17 goals for the Bears. In 1997, the Brisbane Bears merged with another team to form the Brisbane Lions. Michael played one game for the new Brisbane Lions. However, his calf injuries returned, which sadly forced him to retire from playing.
Coaching After Playing
After retiring as a player, Michael McLean returned to Darwin. He coached his old club, Nightcliff, for five years. Later, he coached the Redland Football Club in Queensland.
In the 2005-06 season, he coached Nightcliff again and led them to a great season, reaching the preliminary final. In the 2006-07 season, McLean became the coach for the Southern Districts Football Club. He led them to win the premiership (the championship) in his very first year as their coach!
In 2009, he became the head coach of the Northern Territory Football Club. He coached them in their first season in the Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL). In 2016, he was announced as the new senior coach for the Waratah Football Club.
Standing Up for What's Right
Throughout his playing and coaching career, Michael McLean was a strong supporter of anti-racism. He continued this important work after he stopped playing. He played a key role in organizing the Aboriginal All-Stars football matches in Darwin. He was also named in the special Indigenous Team of the Century, which honors the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players of all time.
In 2007, Michael McLean worked as a community worker at the Palmerston YMCA in Darwin. He helped people in the community.
