Greg Clark (Australian footballer)

Greg Clark (born 24 May 1997) is a former Australian rules footballer who last played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Greg Clark
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 (age 27)
Original team(s) Subiaco (WAFL)
Draft No. 62, 2021 national draft
Height 195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight 94 kg (207 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club West Coast
Number 39
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2022–2023 West Coast 21 (3)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of Round 12, 2023.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

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Clark was a recognized talent from a young age, playing for the WA State 16s and 18s, including captaining the WA State 18s at the 2015 NAB AFL National Championships.[1] Despite being invited to participate in the 2015 National Combine,[2] Clark was overlooked at the 2015 AFL draft. Clark then carved out a very successful playing career at Subiaco, playing in three winning WAFL grand final teams, winning the Simpson Medal as best on field as Subiaco defeated South Fremantle in the 2021 WAFL grand final, despite injuring his AC joint in a collision in the first quarter.[3] Clark had an outstanding 2021 WAFL season, ranking first for tackles (7.3), fifth for disposals (27.1), seventh for contested possessions and twelfth for score involvements, finishing equal third in the Sandover Medal.[4]

AFL career

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Clark was drafted by West Coast with pick 62 in the 2021 national draft.[5] The club was able to draft Clark by trading away their 2022 fourth round pick to Port Adelaide. Clark had turned off the draft coverage after West Coast selected Jack Williams with pick 57, their last pick and didn't know he had been drafted until being informed by his manager.[6]

2022

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Clark was expected to make his debut in Round 1,[7] but hurt his AC joint that he injured in the WAFL grand final, leading him to miss 8–10 weeks. He made his debut for the West Coast WAFL team in round 1 of the 2022 WAFL season collecting 18 disposals and 9 tackles. After another strong performance in the WAFL, Clark was named on the Interchange for West Coast's round 7 fixture against Richmond, becoming the 12th Eagle to debut that season.[8] Despite West Coast's 109 point defeat, Clark had a promising debut collecting 24 disposals and tackling 6 times.

2023

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Clark was delisted by the West Coast Eagles at the conclusion of 2023 AFL season, finishing his AFL career without ever experiencing a victory at the highest level.[9]

Statistics

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Statistics are correct to the end of round 14, 2022[10]
Legend
  G  
Goals
  K  
Kicks
  D  
Disposals 
  T  
Tackles
  B  
Behinds 
  H  
Handballs 
  M  
Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2022 West Coast 39 6 1 1 48 39 87 22 31 0.17 0.17 8.0 6.50 14.50 3.67 5.17
Career 6 1 1 48 39 87 22 31 0.17 0.17 8.0 6.50 14.50 3.67 5.17

Notes

References

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  1. ^ "GREGORY Clark - WAFL" - West Australian Football League. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  2. ^ "WAFL players impress at National Combine" - West Australian Football Commission. Published 12 October 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Greg Clark | AFL - West Coast Eagles - West Coast Eagles. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Bailey Rogers claims 2021 Sandover Medal" - WA Football News. Published 28 September 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  5. ^ "WAFL sensation Greg Clark ready to make immediate impact" - Australian Football League. Published 26 November 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Subiaco star Greg Clark finally gets top level chance as Eagles Swoop" - The West Australian. Published 25 November 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  7. ^ "West Coast Eagles to hand friday night debut to former subiaco midfielder and simpson medalist Greg Clark" - Perth Now. Published 27 April 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  8. ^ "West Coast Eagles to hand friday night debut to former subiaco midfielder and simpson medalist Greg Clark" - Perth Now. Published 27 April 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  9. ^ Woodcock, Mitchell (14 September 2023). "West Coast Eagles clean house ahead of extensive rebuild as five players delisted". PerthNow. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  10. ^ "AFL Tables - Greg Clark - Stats - Statistics". afltables.com. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
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