Clarke Does Nominate For AFL Preseason Draft
Matthew Clarke had a very short retirement, as he has nominated for the AFL Preseason Draft and is expected to be one of the nine players selected. But several questions have to be asked, like why he didn't stay with the Crows, why the Saints want him and will Clarke even get to pick 7?
When Biglands hurt his knee it also opened up a spot for Clarke at the Crows in 2007. If Hudson and Biglands were both playing then Clarke may have played sparingly, but like in 2006 when Hudson was also injured and Clarke played a lot, for next season Clarke could have continued as an important part of the Crows midfield group. The Crows are also very close to the Grand Final, so it is a bit of a mystery as to why Clarke would leave.
The Saints already got their "200 hitout ruckman" when they traded for Gardiner, but you do need to use his hitouts per game average from 2006 to get that statistic. With Clarke, he was close to 300 total hitouts last season. So Clarke can definitely help the Saints. Lyon coached Ball and Jolly when he was Roos' assistant at the Swans, and Lyon may have found two players to fill that role for his new team. Gardiner is like Ball in several aspects of the game, and both of the former Eagles have played not only in the ruck but also as a big forward. Jolly is similar to Clarke, a classic ruckman that can accumulate lots of hitouts.
Clarke is too old for Carlton, and they already agreed to take Ackland, so he gets past pick 1. Essendon have the green light from the AFL to take Mal Michael so Clarke won't be taken at pick 2. That leaves four more teams who could stop Clarke getting to the Saints.
The Kangaroos are concentrating on youth, and although Clarke could help them next season it wouldn't be enough to make them a contender and it would take away from the playing time of Hale, McIntosh and Moran.
The Power already have veteran ruckmen Lade and Brogan, but there are some reasons for them to take Clarke. Their ruckmen have had injury problems so a backup with Clarke's ability would strengthen their list, Clarke's addition might allow them to play Lade a lot more in the forward line where he could help Tredrea and the Power would also be keeping a needed ruckman from a team that will be competing with Port Adelaide for a finals spot. But the Power are not expected to take Clarke.
The Hawks just traded away their veteran ruckman, Everitt, so there is a case for Clarke and a case against drafting him. Everitt was not part of their future so the Hawks made the right move in trading him. They already have Campbell and also have young bigmen Bailey and Renouf. The young players need to play and Clarke would take games away from Bailey and Renouf. But if Hawthorn want to win more games next season than in 2006 then Clarke would be useful for that. It only costs them a preseason pick and Clarke would be able to direct the ball successfully to their midfield of Mitchell, Hodge and their other young stars. Hawthorn are probably happy to go into next season with Campbell, Bailey and Renouf so if they do take Clarke it would be a big surprise.
That means the only team between Clarke and the Saints is the Tigers. Richmond have added enough youth in recent years, they are stuck just outside the top 8 and they need a veteran push to improve. The Tigers will have Kingsley as a possible choice in the preseason draft, but the addition of Clarke might help them more. Simmonds had a great year last season and was not only a capable ruckman but also contributed quite a few goals. But without Stafford, who retired, to assist him Simmonds could be overused. Clarke would give the Tigers a player who can backup Simmonds in the ruck, and Simmonds could also be used as a forward more if needed.
The Saints should be picking a "Clark" at pick 7. Matthew Clarke will probably be there and will be a welcome addition to a team that undervalued the importance of ruckmen in recent seasons. But if he is gone then Clark Keating is another viable option.
When Biglands hurt his knee it also opened up a spot for Clarke at the Crows in 2007. If Hudson and Biglands were both playing then Clarke may have played sparingly, but like in 2006 when Hudson was also injured and Clarke played a lot, for next season Clarke could have continued as an important part of the Crows midfield group. The Crows are also very close to the Grand Final, so it is a bit of a mystery as to why Clarke would leave.
The Saints already got their "200 hitout ruckman" when they traded for Gardiner, but you do need to use his hitouts per game average from 2006 to get that statistic. With Clarke, he was close to 300 total hitouts last season. So Clarke can definitely help the Saints. Lyon coached Ball and Jolly when he was Roos' assistant at the Swans, and Lyon may have found two players to fill that role for his new team. Gardiner is like Ball in several aspects of the game, and both of the former Eagles have played not only in the ruck but also as a big forward. Jolly is similar to Clarke, a classic ruckman that can accumulate lots of hitouts.
Clarke is too old for Carlton, and they already agreed to take Ackland, so he gets past pick 1. Essendon have the green light from the AFL to take Mal Michael so Clarke won't be taken at pick 2. That leaves four more teams who could stop Clarke getting to the Saints.
The Kangaroos are concentrating on youth, and although Clarke could help them next season it wouldn't be enough to make them a contender and it would take away from the playing time of Hale, McIntosh and Moran.
The Power already have veteran ruckmen Lade and Brogan, but there are some reasons for them to take Clarke. Their ruckmen have had injury problems so a backup with Clarke's ability would strengthen their list, Clarke's addition might allow them to play Lade a lot more in the forward line where he could help Tredrea and the Power would also be keeping a needed ruckman from a team that will be competing with Port Adelaide for a finals spot. But the Power are not expected to take Clarke.
The Hawks just traded away their veteran ruckman, Everitt, so there is a case for Clarke and a case against drafting him. Everitt was not part of their future so the Hawks made the right move in trading him. They already have Campbell and also have young bigmen Bailey and Renouf. The young players need to play and Clarke would take games away from Bailey and Renouf. But if Hawthorn want to win more games next season than in 2006 then Clarke would be useful for that. It only costs them a preseason pick and Clarke would be able to direct the ball successfully to their midfield of Mitchell, Hodge and their other young stars. Hawthorn are probably happy to go into next season with Campbell, Bailey and Renouf so if they do take Clarke it would be a big surprise.
That means the only team between Clarke and the Saints is the Tigers. Richmond have added enough youth in recent years, they are stuck just outside the top 8 and they need a veteran push to improve. The Tigers will have Kingsley as a possible choice in the preseason draft, but the addition of Clarke might help them more. Simmonds had a great year last season and was not only a capable ruckman but also contributed quite a few goals. But without Stafford, who retired, to assist him Simmonds could be overused. Clarke would give the Tigers a player who can backup Simmonds in the ruck, and Simmonds could also be used as a forward more if needed.
The Saints should be picking a "Clark" at pick 7. Matthew Clarke will probably be there and will be a welcome addition to a team that undervalued the importance of ruckmen in recent seasons. But if he is gone then Clark Keating is another viable option.
