Sydney Swans sign South Adelaide forward Hayden McLean under pre-season supplementary list rules
South Adelaide has been dealt a significant blow on the eve of the season after Sydney signed young forward Hayden McLean leaving the Panthers “frustrated”.
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South Adelaide has been dealt a significant blow on the eve of the SANFL season after Sydney signed young forward Hayden McLean under the new pre-season supplementary list rules.
The Panthers confirmed Tuesday McLean, who they recruited from Sandringham after he was overlooked in the AFL draft, had been taken by the Swans.
Sydney was eligible to add a player to its list as a rookie to replace injured defender Jack Maibaum and held medicals on Friday with McLean and former Collingwood defender Sam McLarty.
South Adelaide chief executive Neill Sharpe said the club would not receive compensation for losing McLean.
“It’s a really disappointing situation from our perspective,” Sharpe said.
“It’s extremely frustrating to lose a player on the brink of the season and it makes it very difficult to find a replacement of the same quality.
“In regards to Hayden, it’s terrific for the young man and we don’t begrudge him at all for taking the opportunity to fulfil a dream of playing AFL.
“There will be no compensation to the South Adelaide Football Club at this stage from what I believe.”
McLean is the third mature-age player the Panthers have lost after star ruckman Keegan Brooksby was taken by the West Coast Eagles and Nathan Krueger was drafted to Geelong.
The Panthers had secured McLean work and accommodation after moving to the club.
Sharpe said losing players just weeks from round one and through the mid-season draft was a pressing issue for the SANFL and its clubs.
“This is a big deal for the competition moving forward and state leagues in general,” he said.
“The AFL has made these rules on the run and have left clubs in a really tough position.
“If they’re going to go down this road, there needs to be some changes.
“The SANFL clubs were fearful about the mid-season draft but no one really expected to lose a player a couple of weeks from round one.”
McLean is the 10th player to be taken through the pre-season supplementary list rules. The period for selecting players closes on March 15.
The 19-year-old was named Sandringham’s best first-year player last season and also
vice-captained Vic Metro in the national under 18 carnival in 2017.
He played 13 VFL games and averaged more than 13 disposals, five marks and 10 hit outs, and also kicked nine goals.
patrick.keam@news.com.au
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