She died in 2015 after an eight-year battle with cancer.

Despite a debilitating illness, it was during those years that she arguably made her greatest contribution to the sport, coaching Lake Wendouree to five BFNL A grade premierships - four of them in a row.

She was also BNFL coach of the year five times and named the coach of the BFNL's best team for the first 20 years of the competition.

Her memory lives on in the BFNL with the A grade best and fairest medal named in her honour.

McLean's life is the subject of The Courier's next "Off The Record" podcast, which lands on Friday.

Senior sports reporter David Brehaut speaks with Sally's husband Ray and Lake Wendouree netballer Kara Hart about the netball great's life, netball achievements and the lasting impact she left on the sport she devoted a large part of her life to.

To listen to the, at-times emotional, episode six, visit thecourier.com.au after noon on Friday.