SMOOTH OPERATOR
Clark‘s seamless transition
JORDAN Clark is one cool customer.
Whether on the field or off it, there is seemingly nothing that fazes him.
If that wasn’t evident in his first JLT Series match against the reigning premiers, West Coast, back in March, then it has been made abundantly clear in his first 17 games at AFL level.
But despite the obvious confidence and charisma the 18-year-old possesses, there is a humility about him that belies his on-field deeds.
Having missed a chunk of training in pre-season after a bout of tonsillitis and glandular fever, Clark was forced to wait until after Christmas before joining the rest of the Geelong team in full training.
It was, as he says, to be only a minor setback. But when asked whether he has exceeded his own expectations in his first year with the Cats, Clark is straight to the point. “Yeah, for sure,” Clark said. “Obviously when you play your first game you just hope to get a couple more in and then once you get a couple more in you just want to keep playing.
“I have been pretty fortunate to have played 17 games now and been a regular so far to this point in the season. So looking back, I have certainly exceeded my expectations.
“Obviously at the start it was pretty hard because you just want to get out there and have a kick and get to know your teammates but looking back now it (glandular fever) was really only a minor thing, and just after Christmas I started fresh with the same opportunities.”
For many kids who come straight out of the elite talent pathway program and into an AFL club, the graduation to a role in the midfield comes only after a stint playing in the state leagues or, for those good enough to play senior footy immediately, via the forward line.
Clark’s early games were spent down back as part of defensive coach Matthew Scarlett’s band of misfits, but the West Australian native says while it was an experience he was glad to have had, he has loved the opportunity to move further up the ground.
“In juniors I played mostly as a mid or forward, and then in my draft year I played a bit down in the backline,” he said.
“It was around Easter Monday when I first got my taste of it (in the midfield) and then ever since I have just moved into that role on the wing.
“There was no discussion or anything, I just got told where I was going to play, because we had Jed Bews and Zach Tuohy who were going to be coming back and keeping them out would have been a pretty big effort.
“I feel like that has been pretty good for me and to be honest I prefer to be in the midfield or higher up the ground and kicking a goal here or there, so I have enjoyed it and hopefully I can play a bit more there.”
There are no shortage of mentors for Clark to lean on in the midfield at GMHBA Stadium, with Patrick Dangerfield and fellow West Aussie duo Tim Kelly and Mitch Duncan among the leaders he has sought out for advice.
But Clark admits he has been like a sponge around one player in particular, with whom he has grown a special bond since joining the Cats.
“At the start of the year Stewy (Tom Stewart), when I was in the backline, was a big help for me but now that I am in the midfield I mainly go to Joel as he plays on the wing and as captain he is a pretty good source to go to,” he said.
“We seem to get along pretty well and it is something we have built over my short time at the club. I am not really sure what to put it down to but I guess we just get along and that is all there is to it.”
Just a month out from finals, Clark is back home for the first time since that pre-season game against the Eagles as he prepares to take on Fremantle this Saturday, and while he says he is just doing what he can to keep his spot in the team, he is relishing the chance to play in front of family and friends and, ultimately on the big stage come September.
“I haven’t played a game like that since being in WA, so it would be nice to play another one like that,” Clark said.
“It adds a bit more motivation but it still doesn’t change anything apart from it being in another state.
“I am just hoping to get a game when it is September, but we will see what happens. I haven’t played in front of a crowd that big or any games like that.”
I HAVE BEEN PRETTY FORTUNATE TO HAVE PLAYED 17 GAMES NOW AND BEEN A REGULAR SO FAR TO THIS POINT IN THE SEASON. SO LOOKING BACK, I HAVE CERTAINLY EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS.”