The 22 year-old carried a phenomenal workload throughout last season in the absence of the Club’s regular ruckmen Jamie Charman and Matthew Leuenberger who were sidelined with long-term injuries.
Clark relished in his new responsibility, playing all 24 senior matches (including his first two Finals), narrowly missing out on selection in the 2009 AFL All-Australian team and finishing third behind Captain Jonathan Brown and midfield superstar Simon Black in the Club Champion award.
His remarkable efforts in spending considerable amounts of time playing a lone hand in one of the game’s most difficult positions was also recognised when he took out the Lions’ Most Courageous Player award.
But after an injury-interrupted first three seasons at the Club which produced a total of just 22 senior matches, Clark was simply pleased to be fit and contributing on the field.
He is now considered one the team’s most valuable players and is currently undergoing a modified pre-season training program to ensure that his body can withstand another full season in 2010.
“I’ve had a bit of a modified pre-season training program this year,” Clark said. “It’s been more to manage my workload after playing my first full season.”
“I had a pretty heavy workload last season which probably took a bit of a toll on my body.”
“I probably haven’t felt as fresh as I have in previous pre-seasons because I’ve generally been coming off injuries. You certainly notice the difference after playing your first full season of footy,” he said.
While he is fit and raring to go, the coaching staff will manage him carefully throughout the next couple of months in the lead-up to the Club’s first home-and-away match against West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday 27 March.
Image courtesy of Steve Ripper
“I’ll probably play midway through the NAB Cup and get a couple of practice matches under my belt,” Clark said. “But I will definitely be right for the start of the season.”
Clark and the Lions will also be buoyed by the imminent on-field return of fellow ruckmen Charman and Leuenberger who have been impressive on the training track over summer.
The obvious wealth of ruck riches poses somewhat of a selection dilemma for the Lions when all three big men are available and playing.
While Clark will likely remain the Club’s number one ruck choice following his stellar efforts last season, his speed and athleticism also makes him more than capable of playing a key post in defence or potentially even on a wing.
But the East Fremantle product expects to resume his role in the centre.
“Most of my pre-season training has been preparing me for playing in the ruck again,” Clark said.
“I really enjoy playing in the ruck because you are always in the middle of the action.”
“But I would be happy to play anywhere so long as it means I am getting a game.”
