At just 22 years of age, Bulldogs’ youngster Toby McLean is embracing his position as an older head in what’s been the League’s youngest side for five weeks running. 

On Friday night, Luke Beveridge’s side averaged just 22.9 years and 59.8 games, almost two years and fourteen games behind Carlton.

“I’m only about 40 games in but (compared) to a lot of the players that are players inside at the moment, I think I’m in that mid-range sort of area,” McLean said yesterday.

“I’m happy to let my experience do the talking and help anyone who asks it especially the young kids like Patty Lipinski and Ed Richards.”

Drafted as a high-flying forward, McLean has been able to expand his influence into the midfield.

He is averaging 24 disposals and 4.7 tackles over six rounds this year.

“This is my fourth year now, I’m sort of looking at myself as more of a midfielder than forward.

“Playing with the likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Jackson Macrae they’re helping me a lot with that leadership side of things.”