“You’ve got to stand up,” the impassioned Lyon told Clarke as he walked past him down the players’ race.
Fremantle was already without champion ruckman Aaron Sandilands, and part-time back-up Kepler Bradley was also done for the year.
Lyon knew the ruck duties could not fall solely on the young shoulders of first year player Jack Hannath, and with reigning premiers Sydney at the SCG up next, he put Clarke on notice.
The 23-year-old had not played yet in 2013 and, ideally, he would have returned via the WAFL to regain match fitness.
But circumstance saw Clarke rushed back into the team for the Swans’ game, and he delivered with 16 disposals, 27 hitouts and a goal in a thrilling draw.
Clarke did not shirk at his coach’s ultimatum; he instead thrived from it.
“I saw it as a challenge and I loved accepting that challenge and going out there and doing the best I could,” he said.
The former Victorian, who this week signed a two-year contract extension with Fremantle, has been pleased with his first four games back.
“I think I’ve been pretty competitive,” he said.
“The first week coming back against Sydney, after not playing a game, I thought I was competitive and did my role, and I’ll just keep looking to back that up.”
He credited Lyon for bringing a structure and discipline to Fremantle that the club had never experienced.
“The playing group knows exactly where they stand and what they need to do,” Clarke said.
“We’ve all got a role to play and I think we’re all carrying that out pretty well.”
Clarke has spent his first four years at Fremantle playing predominately as a forward.
But Lyon has often stated that his future at the club was as a ruckman, a sentiment Clarke agreed with.
“Obviously I’ve played a bit up forward the past couple of years, but all through juniors and my development I’ve been primarily a ruckman.”
Freo has had no choice but to play him on the ball this season, but the imminent return of Sandilands could see Clarke spend some more time in attack.
