Joe McLaren
Encyclopedia
Joe McLaren is a former Australian rules football
er who played with St Kilda and the Kangaroos
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
McLaren, a wingman, was recruited from the Geelong Falcons
but came from Koroit
originally. The 22nd pick of the 1995 AFL Draft
, he was a member of St Kilda's 1996 Ansett Cup
winning side and played 11 games in the 1996 league season. St Kilda went on to make the AFL grand final in 1997 but McLaren only took part in the first two rounds of the season. He played finals football in 1998 and then had his best season in 1999 when he didn't miss a single game. Rewarded with a seventh placing in the Trevor Barker Medal count, McLaren had taken 114 marks, kicked 21 goals and had 365 disposals over the course of the year.
After a disappointing season in 2000, McLaren was traded to the Kangaroos, in a straight swap with Matthew Capuano
. He kicked two goals on debut for his new club against Richmond
, but would make only 11 more appearances.
In 2003 and 2004, McLaren played for South Fremantle
in the West Australian Football League
.
He returned to Koroit and won the 2005 Maskell Medal, given to the best and fairest player each Hampden Football League
season. Having participated in their 2007 premiership team, McLaren was made coach in 2008 and steered Koroit to another premiership the following year.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with St Kilda and the Kangaroos
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
McLaren, a wingman, was recruited from the Geelong Falcons
Geelong Falcons
The Geelong Falcons are a junior Australian rules football representative club in the TAC Cup competition, Victoria, Australia.The club takes in talented junior players from the Geelong, Colac and Warrnambool regions in order to groom them for AFL selection...
but came from Koroit
Koroit Football Club
The Koroit Football Club are an Australian rules football club which compete in the Hampden Football League.They are based in the Victorian town of Koroit and have played in the Hampden Football League since 1961.-Maskell Medallists:*Anthony Mahony 1996...
originally. The 22nd pick of the 1995 AFL Draft
1995 AFL Draft
The 1995 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1995 Australian Football League season.The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football clubs that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.Clubs receive picks based...
, he was a member of St Kilda's 1996 Ansett Cup
1996 Ansett Australia Cup
- Scorecard :-St Kilda Football Club:-Carlton Football Club:- Final Placings :1. St. Kilda 2. Carlton 3. West Coast 4. North Melbourne 5. Collingwood 6. Brisbane 7. Footscray 8. Adelaide 9. Sydney 10. Fremantle 11. Fitzroy 12. Richmond...
winning side and played 11 games in the 1996 league season. St Kilda went on to make the AFL grand final in 1997 but McLaren only took part in the first two rounds of the season. He played finals football in 1998 and then had his best season in 1999 when he didn't miss a single game. Rewarded with a seventh placing in the Trevor Barker Medal count, McLaren had taken 114 marks, kicked 21 goals and had 365 disposals over the course of the year.
After a disappointing season in 2000, McLaren was traded to the Kangaroos, in a straight swap with Matthew Capuano
Matthew Capuano
Matthew Capuano is a former Australian rules footballer who spent his AFL career with the North Melbourne Football Club and the St Kilda Football Club. Capuano is currently a development coach at the Carlton Football Club...
. He kicked two goals on debut for his new club against Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
, but would make only 11 more appearances.
In 2003 and 2004, McLaren played for South Fremantle
South Fremantle Football Club
The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
in the West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
.
He returned to Koroit and won the 2005 Maskell Medal, given to the best and fairest player each Hampden Football League
Hampden Football Netball League
The Hampden Football Netball League is based in South-Western Victoria, with clubs located in towns located along or near the Princes Highway from Camperdown to Port Fairy. The league is a major country league...
season. Having participated in their 2007 premiership team, McLaren was made coach in 2008 and steered Koroit to another premiership the following year.