Nothing Personal In Upcoming Clash
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 21/5/2004

When the draw for this season’s Premier League was released, Scott McLean took special interest in when he’d be coming up against South Sydney.

Now that day has almost arrived, the North Sydney centre isn’t treating it as some kind of personal vendetta, despite being unwanted by the red and greens.

After playing nearly a dozen first grade games for the club in 2002, McLean’s season was cut short by injury and it had a knock- on effect into the following year, when Souths’ coach Paul Langmack told him he would be released from the second year of his contract if he wanted to seek other opportunities.

McLean elected to stay, but it turned out to be his annus horribulus, stuck in the South Sydney Juniors Jim Beam Cup side for most of the winter, which was essentially like playing third grade. Only occasionally did he get a look-in for Premier League.

“I hope I don’t have another year like last year,” he said.

“I got a bit downhearted about everything, but I stuck it out and I’m glad I did.”

After leaving Redfern, McLean was worried that he wouldn’t find a club for 2004 until Norths coach Gary Larson came calling in the off-season and offered a chance to resurrect his career at the other end of the compass.

Through an up and down campaign for the club, McLean has been a shining light for the Bears, giving them extra attacking thrust out wide and proving to be a reliable goalkicker.

But when he runs onto Aussie Stadium on Sunday to face his former club, his primary objective will be to help Norths collect the two competition points they badly need to remain buoyant.
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