RICKY McLean was a fearsome on-field presence through his six seasons at Princes Park (and five more at Richmond) - but the Carlton full-forward’s return to the old stomping ground in the company of the McLean clan elicited great emotion this week.

On an invitation from his former captain John Nicholls, McLean came back to the place that was once his domain - just as it was for his father Rod, uncle Ken and (later) nephew Brock.

Rod, Ken, Ricky and Brock all wore the No.14 for Carlton - the former into 128 games including the 1938 and ’45 ‘Bloodbath’ Grand Finals - so it was of no surprise that Ricky, his sons Christian and Shannon and grandsons Max and Tom, all posed for a photograph in front of the No.14 locker.

For Ricky there was no rhyme or reason in being handed the No.14 (previously worn by Bob Crowe) when he joined the Club - then under Senior Coach Ron Barassi’s watch - from Moonee Imperials in early 1966.

Brock was handed the No.7 in his first year at IKON Park, but it was after the locker was vacated following the departure of Brad Fisher that the ex-Demon requested to follow in the McLean footsteps of those before him.

“I reckon Brock requested the number when he came to Carlton, but I was given it because it was available. That was a bit of a coincidence, a fluke in a way, but I honoured it,” Ricky said.

Only once in the past 52 years since his last game in dark navy - the 13th round match against Essendon at Windy Hill in 1971 - has Ricky set foot in the place. That happened in 2010 on the invitation of the Herald Sun’s long-serving reporter Jon Anderson at the time Brock joined Carlton from Melbourne.

Speaking within walking distance of the old players’ race that once extended from the door of the since-demolished Robert Heatley Stand, Ricky, now 75, fondly remembered following ‘Big Nick’ down the race and onto the verdant Princes Park ground through what was a glory era at Carlton.

“I remember running down that race, surrounded by all the supporters down near the boundary, and playing on a ground that was second only to the MCG,” he said.

“I reckon [Alex] Jesaulenko was the greatest footballer in my time at Carlton, but ‘Nick’ (Nicholls) was phenomenal to stand six foot two and play the way he did against blokes like Len Thompson at six seven. ‘Nick’ always found a way to win, and it was interesting to hear him talk about how he worked ‘Polly’(Graeme Farmer) out. He was such a great football thinker.”

In reflecting on this most recent visit, Ricky cast his mind back with a genuine romanticism.

“As I was saying to the boys on the way over, coming back is a bit difficult because it’s emotional, but for good reason. There’s a great history,” Ricky said.

“I remember all the old timers who played with my father - blokes like Chitty, Deacon and Hands, all greats - and that’s probably more powerful for me than actually playing here because I think of the footsteps of others.

“Dad never really talked about his time playing football. Oddly enough it was just a way of life back then. It’s only now when I look back on it that I consider playing as such a great privilege. If I collect my thoughts now, that’s what I’m thinking.

“It’s overwhelming to think about the family’s connection then, and to see the connection now. To sit in front of that locker, it really cuts deep.”

Nicholls, Carlton’s premiership captain in 1968 and ‘70, and premiership captain-coach in 1972, regarded the McLeans as one of the Club’s great football families.

“Ricky and I have been really good friends for the past 60 years,” Nicholls said, Carlton’s five-time best-and-fairest player.

“Ricky’s father Rod was a two-time premiership player and later Chairman of Selectors under George Harris’ presidency.

“He was very much a part of the old Carlton culture.”

Rod McLean

No.14
1935-1942 and 1944-1946
128 games, 32 goals 
Premiership player 1938 and 1945

Ken McLean

Nos.14 (1943), 23 (1944) and 29 (1946)
1943-1944 and 1946
10 games, five goals 

Ricky McLean

No.14
1966-1971
19 games, 35 goals 

Brock McLean

Nos.7 (2010) and 14 (2011-2014)
2010-2014
63 games, 37 goals
Fourth in 2012 John Nicholls Medal