Australian Football

Allan Robert 'Bob' McLean followed a noteworthy playing career with first Norwood, and later Port Adelaide, by serving the latter club with enormous distinction for many years as an administrator. The Redlegs phase of McLean career comprised 73 senior games between 1934 and 1938. He also debuted with the state during that time, but it was after crossing to Port in 1939 that he really came into his own as a player. With Reval and Bob Quinn in support, McLean provided the Magpies with a first ruck combination that was the envy of every other club in South Australia. His tally of 147 games with the Magpies (and Port-Torrens) included the Grand Final triumph of 1939 against West Torrens. 

Despite being one of the heftiest players in league football at the time, Big Bob was surprisingly nimble, and boasted exemplary, two-sided disposal skills. Capable of outmarking virtually any opponent, he was also a fierce competitor at ground level, and was not averse to taking a bounce or two if occasion allowed. Always a threat when resting up forward, McLean topped the Magpies goal kicking list on four occasions, and the SANFL, with 80 goals, in 1947. His nine interstate appearances for South Australia netted him 16 goals.

After retiring as a player at the end of the 1948 season, Bob McLean became Port secretary, from which position, in concert with Fos Williams, he oversaw the greatest period in the club history, sowing the seeds of its eventual transition from a local to a national scale operation. McLean served as secretary of the Magpies from 1949 to 1980, during which time the club won no fewer than a dozen senior flags, and finished second eight times. He later served as club chairman between 1983 and 1989.

Author - John Devaney