Australian Football

St Kilda selected Joe McLaren with pick 22 at the 1995 National Draft, and, after playing in the Saints’ 1996 Ansett Cup-winning team, he made his league debut in that season’s opening round en route to 11 senior appearances for the year. A dynamic wingman who exulted in running with the ball, he struggled initially to nail down a place in the strong St Kilda line-up, but in 1999 he enjoyed a break-out year when he performed consistently well over the whole campaign and ran seventh in the club best and fairest count. Unfortunately he proved unable to build on this, and in the 2000 season he blew hot and cold, and only made 11 appearances. He ended up being traded to the Kangaroos the following year, but struggled to have an impact, and after managing just 12 games was de-listed. He went on to play 35 games and score 12 goals for South Fremantle in 2003-4. In the latter season he played for Western Australia in a loss against the VFL.

Author - John Devaney