The rousing success of Dylan Clarkes first AFL appearance in more than a year is poised to leave Essendon with a post-bye selection conundrum.
Playing just his second senior game, and first since round nine last year, 20-year-old Bombers midfielder Clarke had 23 disposals while nullifying Patrick Cripps, keeping the Carlton co-captain to just 11 disposals in the Dons 41-point win at the MCG on Sunday, and helping place the final nail in Brendon Boltons coaching coffin.
Dylan Clarke starred in his second AFL game.Credit:AAP
Clarke was in essence a straight swap for Dylan Shiel, who missed the Blues match with a minor hamstring issue. However the Bombers have flagged Shiels return for Friday weeks meeting with Hawthorn.
The second-gamer picked up six AFL Coaches Association votes for his performance against Carlton, meaning it will be all but impossible to drop back to the VFL.
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Darcy Parish spent time in the VFL earlier in the season but has been in outstanding form, while Kyle Langford – who has also been on the outer at times this year – has been at least handy in his three games since being recalled to the seniors in round nine.
Clarkes strong showing in the AFL came on the back of an outstanding first half to the VFL campaign, with the midfielder averaging more than 25 disposals per game this year in the state league.
Drafted at pick 63 in 2016 from the Eastern Ranges, the younger brother of former North Melbourne and now Sydney player Ryan had a taste of tagging in the VFL earlier this season, playing a run-with role on Geelongs Charlie Constable, who like Cripps is a big-bodied inside midfielder.
Clarke has also been tagged himself at times at the lower level.
While not particularly quick, Clarkes endurance is strong, with club insiders noting that he is a very hard worker, putting time into improving his kicking, which is a relative weakness of his game.
Essendon's decision to employ a tagger against the Blues was uncharacteristic, with the Bombers generally eschewing the use of run-with players under coach John Worsfold.
Heath Hocking was regularly used as a tagger by the Dons earlier in the decade
There are mixed views within the club as to whether Clarke would be able to play as a tagger against different types of midfielders.
Worsfold said on Sunday that the Dons would consider using Clarke as a tagger in the future but suggested his long-term future was as a balRead More – Source
The rousing success of Dylan Clarkes first AFL appearance in more than a year is poised to leave Essendon with a post-bye selection conundrum.
Playing just his second senior game, and first since round nine last year, 20-year-old Bombers midfielder Clarke had 23 disposals while nullifying Patrick Cripps, keeping the Carlton co-captain to just 11 disposals in the Dons 41-point win at the MCG on Sunday, and helping place the final nail in Brendon Boltons coaching coffin.
Dylan Clarke starred in his second AFL game.Credit:AAP
Clarke was in essence a straight swap for Dylan Shiel, who missed the Blues match with a minor hamstring issue. However the Bombers have flagged Shiels return for Friday weeks meeting with Hawthorn.
The second-gamer picked up six AFL Coaches Association votes for his performance against Carlton, meaning it will be all but impossible to drop back to the VFL.
Advertisement
Darcy Parish spent time in the VFL earlier in the season but has been in outstanding form, while Kyle Langford – who has also been on the outer at times this year – has been at least handy in his three games since being recalled to the seniors in round nine.
Clarkes strong showing in the AFL came on the back of an outstanding first half to the VFL campaign, with the midfielder averaging more than 25 disposals per game this year in the state league.
Drafted at pick 63 in 2016 from the Eastern Ranges, the younger brother of former North Melbourne and now Sydney player Ryan had a taste of tagging in the VFL earlier this season, playing a run-with role on Geelongs Charlie Constable, who like Cripps is a big-bodied inside midfielder.
Clarke has also been tagged himself at times at the lower level.
While not particularly quick, Clarkes endurance is strong, with club insiders noting that he is a very hard worker, putting time into improving his kicking, which is a relative weakness of his game.
Essendon's decision to employ a tagger against the Blues was uncharacteristic, with the Bombers generally eschewing the use of run-with players under coach John Worsfold.
Heath Hocking was regularly used as a tagger by the Dons earlier in the decade
There are mixed views within the club as to whether Clarke would be able to play as a tagger against different types of midfielders.
Worsfold said on Sunday that the Dons would consider using Clarke as a tagger in the future but suggested his long-term future was as a balRead More – Source
