McLean's lawyer Nick Ghabar, urged the panel to remove any emotion from the case and to exercise their common sense as former players, to accept the tackle was an accident, however, his client was given a seven-match suspension.

[8][9][10] McLean returned to the Melbourne side in Round 14 against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, playing in the Storm's 24–20 win.

[18][19] In May 2017, McLean was named as 18th man for Australia in the 2017 ANZAC Test match against New Zealand and for New South Wales for Game 1 of the 2017 State of Origin series.

[20][21] On 1 October 2017, in Melbourne's 2017 NRL Grand Final against the North Queensland Cowboys, McLean started at prop in the 34–6 victory against his future club.

On 3 October 2017, McLean was rewarded for his big season by being selected in the 24-man Kangaroos squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

[24] McLean played in all 6 matches of the tournament including starting at prop in the Kangaroos 6–0 gritty win against England in the World Cup Final at Suncorp Stadium.

[25] In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL season, McLean made his club debut for the North Queensland Cowboys against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, starting at prop in the 20–14 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.

[27] In the Cowboys' Round 4 loss to the Penrith Panthers, McLean suffered a foot injury, sidelining him for four months.

[36] McLean played 15 games for the North Queensland club in 2020, starting all 15 at prop, and captaining the side four times.

[38] McLean was then selected by coach Brad Fittler to make his State of Origin debut as starting prop for game 3.

[39] McLean played 22 matches for North Queensland in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished third on the table and qualified for the finals.