Retired Justin Clarke (2011-2016)

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Justin joins the Brisbane Lions
MARGARET KOCH
17 Jan, 2012 03:08 PM

Justin said the Brisbane Lions are taking a new direction this season, and he hopes to be a part of that, as the Club had made a big impression on him. He knows it will be a steep learning curve and a very hard year to bulk up his physique and fitness, as well as learn the Club's traditions. He does not expect to make his AFL debut in 2012, but is hopeful soon after that.

In the recent Yr 12 SACE exams, Justin was awarded a "Governor of South Australia SACE Award". This inaugural award went to 25 of the top graduates in South Australia for overall excellence. Justin achieved an ATAR of 99.95, the highest attainable score, receiving an A+ in all his subjects and 4 Merits. He studied Physics, chemistry, Maths Studies, Specialist Maths and his Research Project, "Mining in Arkaroola." BCDS Principal, Jennie Dicker, said "Justin was a wonderful role model and always willing to share his knowledge and expertise, using wisdom and humility, with his fellow students". In the short Christmas break at home, he had a strict training and exercise schedule covering most days.

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Justin Clarke and his sister Sally
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TheBrownDog said:
Their schedule is pretty full on as it is. Would be easy to be overwhelmed if you take on too much.
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Gotta agree wit de dog. Justin is making as big a leap as anyone in this draft. He hasnt even been in a programme like TAC players to prepare for pro football, he has been playing country footy with farmers the train twice a week
( when not on the tractor) & the only weights are hay bales. To come from that to the tropics & life as a Lion will be so physically draining that to try to fit into uni after country high school, something would fail.

Concentrate on life & footy this year & then next year he will have a pretty good idea of how much study he can handle. From what I have read he will find something else to balance his life for the year. And we will have far more chance of a sucessful draft pick if he concentrates on footy this year. Win-win.
 
Justin Clarke

Lions.com.au caught up with Justin Clarke (from Booleroo in country South Australia) to hear about his first impressions of the city of Brisbane.

"I’ve found moving to Brisbane has been really good.

I had a brief experience of living in Adelaide when my brothers moved down there, so I had a little bit of an idea what city life would be like.

Brisbane is nice and warm, and I’m really enjoying it.

The people are so friendly. When I first moved up, I didn’t have a car and was using public transport a fair bit. Everybody was so friendly on the buses, I couldn’t believe it. People would hop onto the bus and say “G’day” to the bus driver. I love it."

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There were a lot of positive comments about Clarke from the intraclub game.

From the highlights package, I noticed a composed one-two with Black followed by a decent kick inside 50, then a run around an opponent with a shanked kick that found the target, then a complete mis-kick that travelled 2 metres and resulted in his opponent, Retzlaff, running into an open goal, and finally a 25 metre pass to a 50-50 contest which the opposition won. So a mixed bag.

It does seem he likes to run with the ball, and that he moves quite well and has decent pace. He was also noticably musclier than when I last saw him. And his kicking action...

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photo courtesy of Jorgo
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... looked quite solid, which was a bit of a worry considering his limited experience. The errors came from not getting his kick away early enough, so he probably needs game time to get a feel for the pace of the game, which you'd expect. So based on those five disposals, three of which were suspect, I saw enough to suggest he could be a decent prospect.
 
Grimreepah said:
There were a lot of positive comments about Clarke from the intraclub game.

From the highlights package, I noticed a composed one-two with Black followed by a decent kick inside 50, then a run around an opponent with a shanked kick that found the target, then a complete mis-kick that travelled 2 metres and resulted in his opponent, Retzlaff, running into an open goal, and finally a 25 metre pass to a 50-50 contest which the opposition won. So a mixed bag.

It does seem he likes to run with the ball, and that he moves quite well and has decent pace. He was also noticably musclier than when I last saw him. And his kicking action...

... looked quite solid, which was a bit of a worry considering his limited experience. The errors came from not getting his kick away early enough, so he probably needs game time to get a feel for the pace of the game, which you'd expect. So based on those five disposals, three of which were suspect, I saw enough to suggest he could be a decent prospect.
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one thing to come out of the intra club game is that justin clark will be a 'gun', the thing to remember is that he has only just turned 18, there's a lot for development & growth to come, but the exciting thing is that it is all there.

probably one of the best recruiting 'coupes' of the pre-season to snare him as a rookie imo.
 
LIONHART said:
one thing to come out of the intra club game is that justin clark will be a 'gun', the thing to remember is that he has only just turned 18, there's a lot for development & growth to come, but the exciting thing is that it is all there.

probably one of the best recruiting 'coupes' of the pre-season to snare him as a rookie imo.
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Maybe, we still have a long way to go.
 
On the first run through I thought Hanley had swapped jumpers. Moves a lot like Hanley, same tan (or lack thereof) and his kicking style is not dissimilar. From the limited highlights it looks like he likes a gallop from defense which would be very handy down the track. Hope we get to see a bit of him in the NAB and I will be watching for him in the NEAFL match of hte round games.
 
Loved seeing him involve himself twice in the same running chain out of defence and not being afraid to be the one to deliver it inside 50.

I love that sort of attacking intent in a tall defender - shades of Leppa. It's the sort of stuff that Patfull should have brought into his game years ago but hasn't.

Very impressive that Clarke is doing that this early. I agree with those who say we have to be patient though. He's going to take some time.
 

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Students awarded with merits
MARGARET KOCH
21 Feb, 2012 02:44 PM

Justin Clarke was unable to attend as he is currently in Brisbane training with the Brisbane Lions Football club. His father, Ian, accepted Justin's certificates in Chemistry, Maths Studies, Specialist Maths and the Research Project for him. Justin was also one of the 25 students in South Australia to receive an inaugural "Governor of South Australia SACE Award."

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photo courtesy of Jorgo
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Reserves practice match vs Mt Gravatt

TheBrownDog said:
Clarke is really impressive, my first chance to see him live. He's quite raw still but he defends well, nice composure, has really good skills below his knees and shows good attacking intent. Really think he is going to develop into a player.
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BuntonRules said:
Super impressed with Justin Clark. His reading of the play stood out - moved into position 2 steps b4 anyone else. And his counter attacking instinct. Was a general in the backline. We got a good ún here.
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Tassie4ever said:
Won't be long before Michael, Clarke and Wrigley are shirtfronting the door. Excellent quality rookies of the standard we haven't seen for yonks.

Someone has really done their drafting homework.
Pace, strength and desire. And height.
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NEAFL practice match: Brisbane Reserves vs Morningside

Holding down the key posts in defence were rookies Justin Clarke and Sam Michael who limited the effectiveness of Morningside's dangerous forward line.

"Justin Clarke did a good job on Shaun Mugavin, while Sam Michael held down centre half-back," Clarke said.

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photo courtesy of Jorgo
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He seems an excellent prospect. If I was at the Lions, I'd be making things as comfortable as possible for him in Brisbane.
 
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