McLean kicked the door down. Now the Swans have a selection headache

Sydney Swans forward Hayden McLean has proved that patience is a virtue. The majority of the season has been spent in the VFL, kicking 20 goals in seven games. He is in hot form, but still cannot consistently break into the Swans’ regular forward line of Charlie Curnow, Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey.

McLean waited for eight rounds to get his first shot in the AFL this season and kicked three goals against North Melbourne, then was dropped back down to the VFL for two games. On Saturday, McLean returned and in his 100th game in the AFL, he kicked four against Richmond. McLean is doing everything asked of him and still has no guarantee of selection next Sunday against St Kilda.

Speaking after the game, McLean admitted that Cox had found it tough to drop the forward after the North Melbourne performance. McLean brought close friend Isaac Heeney into the feedback meeting with Cox and left, if not happy, still extremely determined to keep performing.

“There are a lot of honest conversations throughout the week with Coxy, he’s been open with me and honest with me,” McLean said.

“It’s probably one of the hardest decisions he’s made (dropping McLean after North Melbourne), he said. I know I’ve just got to keep trying to knock the door down.”

Against a young and raw Richmond outfit, McLean kicked the hinges off the door, also contributing six hit-outs as a stand-in ruckman.

McLean was giving relief at stoppages to Peter Ladhams, a man who understands the waiting game at the Swans acutely also.

Like McLean, Ladhams has been outstanding in the VFL but is the victim of competing against one of the game’s best players in Brodie Grundy.

Ladhams was finally given his opportunity to play his first AFL game of the season against Richmond while Grundy was rested and took his opportunity. McLean said their similar experiences this season have brought them closer together.

“I think this year we’ve just leaned on each other a lot and and I’ve actually learned a lot from him,” McLean said

“I actually really enjoy the ruck. I love playing forward, but sometimes you can go in the midfield and actually control your own possession and just crack in there and try to be another mid.

“That physical side of the game, I actually really enjoy.I think it’s something that I like to bring to my position and my difference up forward.

“It’s just control what you can for us and try and have fun. At the end of the day, we’re a winning club and a great club, so you’ve got to take what you can sometimes.”

Cox praised Ladhams and McLean for waiting for their patience but believed both players would be needed more as the season wears on with bigger challenges ahead.

“At the start of the year we spoke about football seasons, they’re long years and they take everyone involved in the squad to get to where you want to try and get to,” Cox said.

“It’s probably easier saying it than actually actioning it, but to their credit, both of those of players (Ladhams and McLean)…they’ve been unbelievable with their attitude towards the team and what’s needed.

“The hard part is you’ve just got to be as honest as you possibly can with them. They’ve taken on board, they’ve gone back and played extremely well at VFL level and then when they get their AFL opportunity they’re ready to go.”