Territory footy pioneer Michael McLean named 2026 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree

Jackson Clark Published March 5, 2026 at 4.30am (AWST)

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Michael McLean during his playing days with the Brisbane Bears.

One of the Northern Territory's most influential football figures - Michael McLean - has been announced as the AFL's 2026 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree.

Known to many as "Magic" for his brilliance on the field, McLean carved out a tremendous AFL career across Footscray and Brisbane, finishing with 183 games at the top level.

He played 95 games for Footscray before adding another 88 with Brisbane, where he also won the club's best-and-fairest award twice, in 1991 and 1993.

But McLean's contribution to the game has stretched far beyond his playing days at the elite level.

While his AFL career alone would warrant enormous respect, his impact in the Northern Territory has been just as significant through coaching, mentoring and helping shape the next generation of football talent.

McLean was part of the Palmerston Magpies' coaching set-up as an assistant under Russell Jeffrey during one of the club's most successful periods, before taking on senior coaching roles of his own in the NTFL.

At club level, he guided Nightcliff to a grand final, later returned for another stint at the Tigers, and then coached Southern Districts to a premiership in his first season in charge.

*Michael McLean holding up the Syd Jackson Cup alongside Andrew McLeod after leading the Indigenous All-Stars to victory. (Image: Michael Marschal).*

McLean became the inaugural coach of the NT Thunder when the club entered the QAFL, had another NTFL coaching stint at Waratah and has also coached the AFL's Indigenous All-Stars team.

In a media release, AFLNT said McLean's influence on Australian football extends far beyond his outstanding playing career.

The organisation also pointed to his role as one of four pioneering players who helped drive the AFL's Anti-Vilification Policy 30 years ago, describing his off-field contribution as an important part of his legacy.

"As one of four pioneering players who helped drive the development of the AFL's ground-breaking Anti-Vilification Policy 30 years ago, Michael stood up against racism and played a vital role in shaping a policy that transformed our game and set a powerful standard for inclusion and respect across Australian sport," AFLNT said.

That legacy continues today through his work with AFLNT's Talent Academy, where he mentors young footballers pushing towards elite-level opportunities.

AFLNT said McLean's recognition would resonate strongly in a region where Sir Doug Nicholls Round carries an enormous meaning.

"For communities across the Northern Territory, where Sir Doug Nicholls Round holds deep significance, Michael's recognition is especially meaningful," the media release said.

Sir Doug Nicholls Round will again be staged across two weeks in 2026, beginning on May 14 with a grand final rematch between Brisbane and Geelong.