Sydney Swans hand breakout forward Hayden McLean massive four-year deal to stay in Sydney

As a deal to bring Brodie Grundy to Sydney looks more unlikely, the Swans have moved to lock away one of their talls on a long-term deal.

Sydney key forward Hayden McLean has extended his stay at the Swans. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Hayden McLean has finally signed a new deal with the Swans, putting pen to paper on a massive four-year contract to stay in Sydney.

The 24-year-old has been one of the Swans’ best performers in the past two months as they mounted an unlikely run for the finals.

Contract negotiations drew on longer than expected, but Sydney was always confident of getting their man and McLean never entertained thoughts of leaving.

“I’ve loved my last five years here,” McLean said. “The club took a punt on me, and I wanted to repay them.

“Other clubs I’m sure would have (reached out), but that was up to my manager (Ben Williams) to go through.

“I just wanted to play some good footy and prove what I’m worth and what I can do.

“To get it done now, just before finals, is great timing and I’m very, very happy.”

McLean has shown great aerial and marking ability in 2023. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

McLean has had to work hard for his opportunity at AFL level. He missed out on the draft twice in 2017 and 2018 and moved over to South Adelaide in the SANFL. A pre-season injury to Jack Maibaum at the Swans opened up an opportunity for McLean to be picked up on their pre-season supplementary list at the start of 2019.

After debuting later that year in round 18 against Fremantle, McLean has gone on to play 52 games, kicking 47 goals.

It’s the latest long contract Sydney has secured for one of their star young players. Nick Blakey recently signed a deal that will take him through to 2031, while list manager Kinnear Beatson indicated they will look to do the same with the likes of Errol Gulden, who shares the same manager as McLean.

For McLean, having that security was something he desperately wanted in his next deal.

“I’ve had year-to-year rookie contracts, had two years the last one,” he said. “But to have that stability in one place, knowing where you are for the next four years is great as well.

“And to be at a club like Sydney that will push for finals every year, and with the great list we’ve got, I’m looking forward to the next four years to come.”

It has been a breakout year for McLean, appearing in 21 games for the Swans in 2023.

He has emerged as a reliable goal-kicker, including a career-high four against the Giants in the Sydney Derby, while he has also been capable of playing as the No.1 ruckman.

The 24-year-old has forced his way into Sydney’s best 22. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The Swans primarily see McLean’s future as a forward and he has shown he is more than capable of stepping up in the post-Lance Franklin era.

Now he’s looking forward to the opportunity to build on his combinations with Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald to lead the successful Sydney forward line into the future – starting with this year’s finals series.

“I’ve had a couple of good games throughout the years, but this year I’ve been happy with the consistency of having an impact,” McLean said.

“We’ve had a few good opportunities now to play as just us three. And we’re building that synergy and it’s one of the reasons I want to stay.

“Even yesterday, it wasn’t the result we wanted. But I think for two-and-a-bit quarters we showed we can match it with one of the better teams out there.

“It gives us confidence that even when we got a couple of things wrong, we know if we give it our best run, we’re a genuine chance.”