Casey McLean

Casey McLean is a New Zealand national [rugby league team|New Zealand] international rugby league footballer who plays as a or er for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League.

Background

McLean is of Māori descent, and is the younger brother of fellow Penrith player Jesse McLean. He is first cousins with Joe Chan and Tiaki Chan, and is the nephew of Alex Chan. Much like his brother Jesse, Casey also played rugby union at school.
McLean played his junior rugby league for the Blacktown City Bears in the Penrith District Junior Rugby League. He came through the grades at Penrith in Harold [Matthews Cup] and Jersey Flegg Cup.

In 2024, he played at for New [South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales] at under-19 level in a 14–10 victory in the 2024 [State of Origin series|2024 under-19 State of Origin].
In round 17 of the 2024 NRL season, McLean made his first grade debut for the Penrith Panthers in their 6–16 loss against the North Queensland Cowboys playing at. He scored his first NRL try in round 21, in a big 46–10 victory against the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
McLean played a total of 23 games for Penrith in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 7th on the table. McLean played in Penrith's narrow preliminary final loss against Brisbane.
He scored two tries for in the 24-18 2025 [Rugby League Pacific Championships|2025 Pacific Championships] win over in Auckland on 18 October 2025.
He scored another try for New Zealand in the 36-14 2025 finals win against Samoa on 9 November 2025. He was quoted to be "As strong as 3 Samoan defenders" when ball in hand.