Eastern Ranges/Knox/Melbourne GS, Midfielder, 187cm, 85kg

The younger brother of North Melbourne's Ryan, Clarke won All Australian honours after averaging 24 disposals a game during the national championships, with more than half those touches won in contested situations. That's what he does so well: he can get his hands on the ball over and over when others want it, and he is very strong over a contest. 

Clarke's hands are quick and precise, and he led the championships for clearances, averaging six a game in Metro's division one winning team. Clarke is what you see - a hard-running, endurance beast who finished third in the 3km time trial at the NAB AFL Draft Combine and just racks up the numbers every week.

Former AFL recruiter Gary Buckenara says: 

For his size Clarke is very competitive and actually plays a bit taller than his height suggests and really throws his body around. He’s a smart kid and has the athleticism and traits clubs like as an inside midfielder who wins his own footy and plays with desperation. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up being a tagging-type player because he’s so disciplined.

Eastern Ranges Talent Manager Len Villani told Inside Football:

Competitive, inside animal with a beautiful feel for the game.  Can play different roles as well, he's done some really good stopping and stoppage roles.  He's the ultimate professional, really studious and he'll thrive in an AFL environment in terms of being one of those kids that loves the structure, loves the information coming back at him and being able to process all that.