The 203cm Victorian has been at Fremantle since being selected with pick 37 in the 2008 AFL Draft.
While he’s stood out in the odd game, Clarke hasn’t been able to perform well consistently yet at AFL level.
But a big pre-season, in which he has put on five kilograms over summer, could be just what the Victorian needed.
Clarke was impressive in last Saturday’s trial match against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, prompting senior coach Ross Lyon to mention his improvement in the post-match media conference.
He had 15 disposals, seven marks and a goal playing as one of three tall forwards, along with Kepler Bradley and draftee Tanner Smith.
“I think we worked well,” Clarke said after the game.
“We looked pretty dangerous when the ball was coming into the forward line in the air.”
The trial match was Clarke’s first competitive hit-out of the pre-season because of a slight adductor tweak.
“I pulled up really well. The injury is good now, so it’s no issue at all,” he said.
Clarke should continue to play up forward in 2013, but Lyon has indicated that he believes Clarke will be a ruckman later in his career, so expect him to see minutes on the ball, too.
