Sydney Sign South Adelaide Forward Hayden McLean

Sydney has signed South Adelaide forward Hayden McLean as a rookie for the 2019 season.

The 20-year-old will join the Swans as a pre-season supplemental selection, replacing Jack Maibaum, who has been sidelined for the 2019 season with a torn ACL.

McLean played in the VFL for Sandringham last season, winning their Best First Year Player award, before joining South Adelaide ahead of the 2019 SANFL season.

“Hayden has been a member of AFL Academy and did his AFL club placement with the Swans – he was impressive in that time,” Sydney's general manager of recruiting and list strategy Kinnear Beatson said.

“Having been overlooked in the draft, he had a very successful season with the Sandringham Zebras in the VFL playing as a key forward/pinch hitting ruckman, often against players such as Matthew Leuenberger, Brayden Preuss and Zac Smith.

"We’re really pleased that Hayden will finally get his chance at AFL level.”

Beatson thanked South Adelaide, who had supported McLean throughout the pre-season.

“Whilst difficult for the Panthers at this stage of the year, they’ve been nothing but supportive of Hayden realising his dream of being on an AFL list,” Beatson said.