2013 Home and Away Season – (2012 Home and away Season)
Disposals per game: 13.3 (20th) – (11.7 - 23rd)
Contested possessions per game: 7.1 (7th) – (5.4 - 18th)
Uncontested possessions per game: 6.3 (24th) – (6.6 - 22nd)
Disposal efficiency: 78.8% (6th) – (72.6% - 14th)
Marks per game: 4 (15th) – (4.5 – 10th)
Tackles per game: 3.4 (6th) – (3.1 – 15th)
2013 Brownlow Medal votes: 1
*rankings are at Freo and players must have played at least four games to qualify.
Highlight – Clarke played his first game of the season in round 8 against Sydney Goliaths Mike Pyke and Shane Mumford. Despite questions over his ability to run the game out, Clarke was excellent all night long as Freo drew with the Swans. He had 16 disposals, seven marks, 27 hitouts and a goal.
Summary – Clarke blossomed into the quality ruckman Freo hoped he would become in 2013. He led the ruck well when Griffin and Sandilands were absent, and he partnered successfully when ‘Sandi’ returned.
Finals
Qualifying Final – 6 disposals, 19 hitouts
Preliminary Final – 12 disposals, 19 hitouts
Grand Final – 5 disposals, 8 hitouts
Summary – Clarke was solid in the first two finals, providing strong back up to Aaron Sandilands, who dominated his opposition. He would have been disappointed with the Grand Final, in which he was subbed out.
Outlook: There is plenty of upside with Clarke. He has the tools to continue growing into a quality ruckman. With Sandilands now in the twilight of his career, Clarke will look to cement his role in Ross Lyon’s ruck division for 2014 and the years to come.
