Speaking on the final edition of The Blue Print for the year, Swann told co-presenters Andrew Maher and Mark Maclure that the out-of-contract McLean was considered a required player.
Describing the 26 year-old McLean’s second half of the season as “incredible”, Swann responded emphatically when asked if the former Melbourne player was required in 2013.
“He will be,” Swann said.
“We’ve begun discussions, and (while) I know it’s been reported that it’s conditional upon who coaches we think he’s been fantastic. Negotiations have begun and we’re confident he’ll stay with us.”
A runner-up in Melbourne’s best and fairest count in 2008, McLean represented the Redlegs in 94 senior matches from 2004 through to 2009. At the conclusion of that year he was traded to Carlton in exchange for the club’s 11th round selection that Melbourne used to secure Jordan Gysberts.
In a season cruelled by injury and erratic team performance, McLean was one of the few true success stories of 2012. In representing the Blues in every home and away match from the ninth round onwards, he effectively revived an on-field career that was all but done and dusted due to injury and interrupted preparation.
McLean, whose grandfather Rod McLean was a two-time Carlton premiership player and Chairman of Selectors, significantly contributed to the senior team’s cause over 15 matches through 2012, culminating in his 39-possession game against St Kilda last Sunday. Though his time in League football spans nine seasons in total, McLean does not command free agency status because his term at Carlton has so far only spanned three seasons.
Perhaps his manager Dan Richardson put it best, when he was quoted saying in the Herald Sun: “He is just a good example of what can be achieved through persistence and hard work. He has proven he can keep playing really good AFL footy and hopefully that is at Carlton”.
This latest McLean development surfaced as Swann addressed a series of questions, confirming that the club had held discussions with Michael Malthouse and Paul Roos for the vacant Carlton Senior Coach’s position and that it would seek to vindicate its standing as an “MCG club” by holding discussions once its existing tenancy contract with Etihad Stadium expired in late 2014.
