He played for Manly-Warringah and North Sydney in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition.
McLean played his junior rugby league for Enfield before being graded by Manly-Warringah.
In the same year, McLean played on the wing in the 1968 NSWRL grand final against South Sydney.
McLean played with Manly up until the end of 1971 before departing the club for rivals North Sydney.
After leaving North Sydney, McLean played in the local country competitions and captain-coached Port Macquarie in 1975.