GEELONG youngster Jordan Clark concedes his injured elbow is "not perfect", but says he is hopeful a full game in the VFL on Saturday will put him in the selection frame for the finals.
Clark has been sidelined since round 20 after landing awkwardly on his elbow at training, but is on the verge of returning ahead of Geelong's qualifying final against Collingwood.
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He will play full minutes in the club's VFL clash with Port Melbourne on Saturday, saying he remains optimistic he will be able to return ahead of the Cats' September campaign.
Clark at training earlier this month. Picture: Getty Images
"It's not perfect," Clark told AFL.com.au.
"But hopefully it'll do the job and hold up for the rest of the year."
Clark has been a consistent figure in Geelong's backline throughout his maiden season in the AFL, playing all but one game before hurting his elbow in a painful training ground incident.
The teenager has averaged 13.8 disposals and 4.2 marks per game, justifying Geelong's decision to recruit him to the club with a first-round selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft.
However, as he closes in on a return to senior football, Clark is just hopeful of being picked.
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"Being available and being picked is another thing," Clark said.
"I'll hopefully put my name up there, but whether I'm picked or not is up to the coach.
If I get through, I get through. The rest will be taken care of - Jordan Clark
There were dramatic scenes as Clark hurt himself in training, with the youngster clearly in pain as he was helped from the field after an awkward landing on his elbow.
"It was in a marking contest," Clark said.
"I got my top half of my body taken out and I landed sideways on the ground. I stuck my arm out for a bit of a base and it snapped in towards my body.
"I ripped all of the ligaments and two-thirds of the muscle off the bone."
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