The Uncanny X Men were no doubt genuine dance floor fillers whenever their records were given a spin at the legendary Saints Disco back in the deep, dark 80’s. Now Moorabbin is rocking with the buzz about a new X man. One who spins out of packs rather than on turntables and who has an uncanny goal sense rather than a bad, bleached mullet hairdo.
His name is Xavier Clarke.
On Sunday against Melbourne in just his fifth game he bagged four goals and help push the young Saints within a kick of knocking off the Demons. He didn’t get the four points for his team, but Xavier Clarke did pick up the rising star nomination for round seven.
The Saints took Xavier Clarke at number five in the 2001 National Draft. It’s a long way from playing footy in the wet season in Darwin to a rain sodden MCG in May but the X-man has made the transition with ease.
“It was first run at the MCG so it was one to remember.”
Clarke built his reputation as a speedy midfielder with the ability to get the ball and use it with precision. With the Saints’ injury problems restricting his options, coach Grant Thomas had to think laterally to come up with a new strategy to generate a winning score. So Xavier was sent to the goal square on a mission.
“I was the second man leading out of the goal square. I had a lot of help from Aaron Hamill and Fraser Gehrig. I used them as a block, so they blocked my man and allowed me to get free and it worked well.”
The X-man began playing his footy in Darwin with St Mary’s, a famous club that has produced such stars of the game as Michael Long, Peter Burgoyne and Ronnie Burns. Footy Territory style is a different beast to its southern cousin. It is played in the wet season (between October and March) whilst the rest of the country is strapping on the cricket pads.
“It’s more free flowing footy. There’s not as much tackling and not as physical. There’s a lot players up there who like to run and take the odd speccy so it’s great to watch.”
Xavier’s family has links with the people of Arnhem Land, a magical part of Northern Australia that few of us get to see.
“When I was younger we’d go out there every weekend camping on the beach and going fishing. I’ve been missing that a bit. Especially during the dry season. It’s not too cold like down here. Those recovery session where we have to go and jump into Port Phillip Bay in the middle of winter – It’s about a 40 degree change I reckon.”
The X-Man is happy with his nomination but it’s no substitute for walking off the ground a winner. And as a sign of just how resolute the St Kilda team is to not settle for second best he is adamant that they owe it to themselves to do better.
“It’s frustrating to lose by so little. Our focus is to go out there and we want nothing less than a win. We know we are going to get a game where it all falls in place and hopefully after that they’ll all fall in place and we’ll be winning a lot more games this year.”
This week Clarke faces the team he idolised as a youngster – Essendon. Naturally it was a true Territory legend that had pride of place on his bedroom wall, Michael Long.
“It’ll be pretty interesting. I’ll know a lot of the players out there because I used to barrack for them until last year. It will be different playing against them.”
Michael Long has been heavily involved in playing a mentoring role for young indigenous footballers and helping them come to terms with the pressures of AFL football. There is also the task of dealing with new and often difficult cultural challenges young players face moving so far away from home and family.
“I spoke with Michael when I first got down here just to touch base. He’s good friends with Dean Wallis ( St Kilda assistant coach) and we’re going to set up a time to have a bit of lunch with him and just chat. I’ve based a lot of my footy around Michael Long and I’ve always wanted to play like him.”
And wouldn’t Saints fans love that.
