SFNL: Highett legend Lachlan McLean will run out for the 400th time on Saturday
Highett’s Lachlan McLean will run out for the 400th time on Saturday after starting at the club almost 25 years ago. The colourful figure talks us through his milestone and career.
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Highett’s Lachlan McLean likens himself as a footballer to “meat and potatoes”.
There’s “no thrills” in what he does but there’s a sense of reliability to it.
This Saturday, the Doggies legend will stride out for the 400th time when his Thirds take on Lyndhurst at Turner Rd.
McLean started at Highett back in 1999 as a 26-year-old after a lengthy gap between his junior footy out in the bush and his beginning at the Dogs.
Footy fell out of favour between stints, with basketball and travelling holding higher reward at the time.
Since finding his way back, McLean has never left.
He did ponder going out on a high if Highett was to beat Skye in a reserves grand final six years ago but his Bulldogs went down by a couple kicks.
And it’s that slippery premiership medallion, and his love for winning, that keeps him coming back.
“I love it,” he said of why he keeps turning up.
“I am still chasing an elusive premiership that seems to keep evading me at this stage.
“I played in one losing granny in 2017 by about 10 points to an undefeated Skye team, we had our chances that day for sure.
“I started to play a different role, I played in the ruck that year, finished second in the league bnf and it kind of rekindled footy I suppose, playing well and winning.”
McLean, 50, now captain-coaches the Thirds which keeps footballers his age in the game.
He says he loves the mateship of the Thirds and enjoys seeing fathers playing with their sons.
“I have played with a few sets of fathers and sons, every time I run out I still enjoy it, I look forward to playing every week,” he said.
“Not too many people play at 50, I figured I just keep doing it as long as it brings a smile to my face.
“Do whatever makes your tail wag.”
Saturday’s occasion will draw a huge crowd at Turner Rd with the Thirds playing a twilight game (5pm start) under lights after the seniors.
McLean has talked a few of the old Highett legends, as well as some cult figures, into pulling the boots on again.
“Yeah got a couple in cotton wool that will be playing,” he said.
“The great Peter Poelsma, he is one of the best players of the Southern footy league over the last 30 years, his last game was in my 350th, a bit of respect for Pete to come back and play.
“Brad Sheers, who I probably played 200 games with throughout the years, those two are probably two of my best mates.
“Then there’s a few other cult heroes that I have managed to talk into coming back and playing a game – it’s going to be a bit of a dream team that’s going to run out.
“A few of the regular threes boys are missing out but they understand the occasion.”
As for whether this will be his last year, McLean says he has no expectation on when he will finish up now as each week is now a blessing.
“I have to try and get to 401 first,” he joked.
“I have sort of joked that I could make 55 and certainly with Thirds footy, that might be on the cards, but anything can happen.
“You do a knee or ankle at my age and I might never play again, I would love to play forever.
“That’s the thing about blokes that play 400, they don’t think they’ll ever stop but I am sure there’s something out there that will get me.”
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