‘Can’t wait to go’
GEELONG has snared one of the most promising players in the 2018 draft pool, securing mid-sized defender Jordan Clark last night.
Clark, from Western Australia, has been described by AFL talent expert Kevin Sheehan as an excellent user of the ball by both hand and foot and a player with clean hands who reads the play extremely well.
While the Cats had spoken before last night of their desire to secure a big-bodied midfielder with pick 12, a change in the draft order and some surprise selections — North Melbourne matched Adelaide’s bid for Tarryn Thomas, Sydney matched the GWS bid for Nick Blakey and Collingwood matched a bid for Isaac Quaynor — meant they pounced on Clark with pick 15.
It is expected he will be able to have an immediate impact in 2019 given his 185cm and 81kg frame, and he is yet another player the Cats have nabbed with prior senior experience.
Clark played WAFL football in 2018 for Claremont, alongside former Leopold gun Jye Bolton, but it was in the NAB Championships that he shone, winning Western Australia’s MVP award and claiming All-Australian honours.
His time in the 2km time trial — 6 minutes and 14 seconds — saw him ranked eighth at the national combine.
Clark said he was hopeful of showing his versatility when training kicks off on Monday.
“I was lucky enough to play five (senior) games at the end of the year and that was pretty good I really appreciated that opportunity,” Clark said.
“Obviously for everyone Round 1 is the goal but if I have to wait to get my debut I will. I am not fussed, I just want to play good footy and if I am playing food footy then I am happy.
“Growing up I had always played as a mid-forward, so I only started playing general defence last year, so all of that is pretty new to me. But I love going forward and kicking a goal or playing in the middle.
“So hopefully I get those opportunities. I don’t like to blow my own trumpet but I like to think I am versatile but we will find out ... I am stoked to be at Geelong and absolutely rapt and can’t wait for this journey to begin.”
An outstanding junior cricketer who represented Australia at under-16 level as an opening bowler, Clark made the decision to pursue football instead of cricket only four months ago after his strong season on field.
Geelong still has four picks up its sleeve for the second day of the draft, with two of those almost certain to be used to secure father-son midfielder Oscar Brownless and Next Gen Academy key position player Blake Schlensog. GEELONG Falcons cult hero Ned McHenry was one of the surprises of last night’s draft, finding a home at Adelaide at pick 16.
The 18-year-old small forward standing 176cm proved in the TAC Cup and in representative duties for Vic Country that he was built for the modern game, and is set to help replenish the Crows’ stocks of fleet-footed goalkickers.
McHenry, who spent a year boarding at Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop — three hours away — in year 9, told the Geelong Advertiser this week that he was prepared to move interstate.
“I think if I go interstate, I’d actually look forward to it,” he said.