Joch McLean: Son of former Roosters player, Mike McLean, convicted of commercial cocaine supply

The son of a former Origin player has been given a crucial lifeline after he was convicted of commercial drug supply following the discovery of 1kg of cocaine in his apartment.

Joch McLean (left) with his lawyer (right) leaving Downing Centre District Court on March 17, 2023

The son of a former Origin player has been given a crucial lifeline after he was convicted of commercial drug supply following the discovery of a haul of cocaine — totalling almost 1kg — in his northern beaches unit.

Joch McLean, 28, who now lives in Double Bay, fronted Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court alongside about 20 supporters on Friday to learn his fate after previously pleading guilty to supplying a commercial quantity of cocaine.

Joch McLean is the son of high-profile former Sydney Roosters second-rower Mike McLean, who had a distinguished rugby league career in the 1980s and ‘90s and represented Queensland in the State of Origin five times.

But the younger McLean had a very different start to his adult life after he was busted with 986.9g of cocaine in November 2021.

McLean was sprung by police after they responded to reports of a domestic incident at his Manly unit — but instead discovered the stash of cocaine hidden in a set of tupperwares, a yellow bowl, alongside a set of kitchen scales and hair dryer.

Joch McLean leaving Downing Centre District Court.

Joch McLean (left) with his lawyer (right) leaving court on March 17, 2023.

He was not charged with any domestic violence offence.

Rather the court previously heard while visiting the unit, officers found the drugs after they saw McLean rummaging through a multi-coloured buckaroo bag.

Mike McLean, who appeared at court today to support his son, evades Laurie Daley in the 1991 State of Origin series. Picture: Supplied

Joch McLean outside Downing Local Court in 2022.

The bowl and containers containing the cocaine were in the bag. Forensic analysis of the cocaine revealed there was 388g inside the bowl – of 68 per cent purity – and 303g and 296g inside the two containers – of 57 per cent and 75 per cent purity.

On Friday the court heard there was only limited evidence regarding McLean’s role in the supply of the cocaine, but Judge Andrew Scotting told the court the 28-year-old had previously said he was a middle man who helped in the transportation of the drugs.

“(He still) was an indispensable part of an organisation disseminating drugs within the community,” Judge Scotting said.

The court also heard McLean had stayed on the straight and narrow since his arrest and was previously addicted to prescription substances and had suffered significant withdrawal symptoms following his arrest.

Joch McLean (left) and father Mike McLean (right) outside Downing Local Court in 2022.

But since that fateful night in November 2021, Judge Scotting told the court McLean had “taken very seriously” his rehabilitation from drugs.

“It seems he has taken very important first steps in terms of rehabilitating himself from drugs and he needs to demonstrate that he can continue that,” he said.

The court also McLean had since found work in the construction industry and also spends some of his free time acting as a mentor and assistant to vulnerable children, as well as helping homeless people through charitable organisations.

Judge Scotting convicted McLean but adjourned the sentencing until February 2024 so the court could have further evidence of the young man’s ongoing rehabilitation.

“You’ve done very well so far, I want you to keep it up,” Judge Scotting said as McLean hugged his family members who were in court to support him.