Toby McLean Biography

Toby McLean is effectively delisted by the Bulldogs who will not offer him a contract for 2024.

"Toby has been a heart and soul player for the Western Bulldogs over a long period and will always be remembered for playing a role in the 2016 Premiership victory," the Bulldogs' list boss Sam Power said.

"A very popular team man, Toby went out of his way to help all his teammates and would play selfless roles for the team on the field. Given the outcomes of the trade period to date and the future direction of the list, we’ve decided to make this further change now."

Scans confirm an ACL injury for Toby McLean, sustained when his knee was caught under Jonathon Ceglar in a tackle early in the first quarter of the Bulldogs' clash against Hawthorn.

"Toby will return to Melbourne today and have a surgical opinion over the next couple of days to determine the best course of action for him," Bulldogs medical services manager Chris Bell said.

Toby McLean says he wasn't surprised at being dropped from the Bulldogs' senior side two weeks ago.

"It definitely didn't surprise me. I know I have the potential to be a better player than I had been, and I enjoyed going back and I got some confidence up which was good and was luckily enough to get a recall this week," McLean said.

"I haven't played in the VFL for two years so to go back it definitely refreshed me."

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is demanding more influence from Toby McLean.

Dropped after playing the first 12 games this season, McLean delivered a sparkling best-on-ground performance last week in the VFL to earn a recall for the Marvel Stadium battle against Geelong this week.

"Toby over the course of time has been an important player for us (but) we think he can be more influential than he has been," Beveridge said.

"The challenge for Tobes is to be that player that really forces the issue and ensures that we win more games than we lose, and he's more than capable of that."

Toby McLean will return to attack this season as the Dogs search for greater avenues to goal.

"I think it will be (life as a forward), especially for the first half of the year," McLean said about his likely role in 2019.

"It's good to try new things, I had a lot of mid time last year and it's good to change it up."

Toby McLean signs a three-year contract extension to remain at the Bulldogs until the end of 2022.

McLean has taken his game to another level in 2018, averaging almost 25 disposals, six tackles and six score involvements, to go with 4.4 clearances per game.

"I was really excited when they came to me and said they wanted to sign me," McLean said.

"The club has really looked after me. The people around the place is what really drives you to be the player and the person that you are."

Toby McLean says he is enjoying the experience of playing in the Bulldogs' midfield in 2017.

"I always felt I was capable of playing in the midfield and the coaches obviously did as well," McLean said.

"Bevo just tells me to play on instinct and with lots of energy. It's good to be around the ball a bit more and I’m really enjoying it."

Toby McLean says he is getting accustomed to giving new Bulldogs teammate and fellow forward Travis Cloke instructions.

"Because Travis is new to the club, he's keen to get to know the (forward) structures, and he's been asking us where to stand and where to go," McLean said.

"I’m quite a shy person, so it does take a while to speak up when I need to, but I'm gradually getting better.

"I'm only in my third year, so it's kind of weird helping out a 29-year-old.

"Travis has made a pretty big impact since coming to the club, and you saw (that) against Melbourne when he clunked all those marks."

Toby McLean is looking forward to expanding his role at the Bulldogs in 2017.

"Instinct is big part of my game," McLean said.

"The less time I have to think about things the better, because when I make quick decisions I tend to take the right option.

"The coaches have got me training for a few different roles this year and that's taking my game to another level.

"When we've had match simulation I've started up forward, then moved up onto a wing and then into the middle."

Toby McLean signs a two-year contract extension with the Western Bulldogs that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

Toby McLean will wear a protective moon boot for up to a month after hurting his right ankle in a second-quarter tackle against West Coast.

Scans on Monday confirmed the 20-year-old, who sat out the rest of the game after being assisted off the ground, had suffered a midfoot sprain.

"We're going to manage him conservatively (and) he's going to be in a moon boot for three to four weeks," Bulldogs football manager Graham Lowe said.

Toby McLean signs a one-year contract extension with the Bulldogs that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.

"It's really exciting, I've had a really good first year and I can't wait to play again," McLean said.

"I didn't think I would even play one AFL game this year, so to play four it was good that he (Luke Beveridge) had faith in me."

Toby McLean makes his AFL debut for the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval with 5 disposals (a kick and 4 handballs) in a 38-point loss to Port Adelaide.

The Western Bulldogs select Toby McLean with pick No.26 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"He had an outstanding year, he's just so consistent," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"He's the sort of player who can win the ball high, he can win on the lead and is very clever at ground level. We were very keen to get him on board."