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But regardless, he’s committed to convincing his fellow defenders that selection heartbreak is the best thing for the club.
Clark could only manage 11 games in his final year at the Cats, spending three entirely in the sub vest, as Geelong’s established stars locked developing youngsters out of the side.
Denied the opportunity to impress last year, Clark looks set to make the most of his chance at Fremantle, gathering 24 touches at half-back in the Dockers’ final pre-season hit out.
But while he appears part of Fremantle’s preferred backline, others are set to miss the round one cut.
The Dockers have Joel Hamling, Pearce, Brennan Cox and Griffin Logue as options in the key posts, Luke Ryan, Heath Chapman, Hayden Young and Ethan Hughes as mid-sized intercept types and speedy rebounders in Clark, Nathan Wilson and Brandon Walker.
Wilson appeared to injure his shoulder against the Eagles but a selection headache is still likely when the Dockers face Adelaide in round one.
“I’ve come from a background where that’s happened,” Clark said.
“The thing I want to drill into the lads is that it’s a good thing for the club. It’s a matter of not getting down on yourself, getting around each other and embracing each other.
“We want to be in the position where good players are missing out. Looking at it the other way, when there is an injury, we’re able to play someone who we know is up to the level as well.”
Clark also has a lot to prove to himself in a new role down back.
But with a consistent stint at the top level, the 21-year-old believes he can build confidence and finally draw on what he learnt at Geelong and so far at Fremantle.
“Anyone going to Geelong shouldn’t expect an easy game every week given the quality of personnel they’ve got running around. At times I had to learn that’s how it was,” he said.
“It didn’t take much of a toll on me. I just had to change a few things and embrace the fact I could learn from them as much as I could so when my opportunity arrived, I can apply what those boys have taught me.
“Part of it is getting a good run at it and stringing games together. I think that’s where my confidence will grow and I’ll be able to play my best footy.
“I’ve had a bit of a role change and I’m in the backline now. I’ve worked really closely with Matt Boyd, JL, Tendai Mzungu and a couple of the older guys in the backline. I want to take my game to the next level and help drive this club forward.
“I’ve got no hard feelings towards the Cats.”
Clark added the Dockers have plenty to work on ahead of round one after a 13 point win over West Coast in their final pre-season tune-up, down from a 97-point margin a week earlier.
“As a group we were actually pretty disappointed with how we went,” he said.
“We’ve been working on a number of things during the pre-season and unfortunately weren’t able to execute them to the level we wanted to tonight.
“We knew West Coast were going to be a completely different side. We probably didn’t expect them to give us as much as a run as they did. We probably didn’t prepare ourselves enough and got a bit complacent.
“As a group we’ve got a few focuses that don’t require skill. They require attitude and mindset. I think we’ll drive that hard over the next two weeks and really get around each other and build on our last two games and see what we can come up with for round one.”
Fremantle recruit Jordan Clark passing on wisdom from other side of selection logjam
Fremantle recruit Jordan Clark has finally found himself on the right side of a selection logjam after pledging to get the best out of himself at the Dockers.But regardless, he’s committed to convincing his fellow defenders that selection heartbreak is the best thing for the club.
Clark could only manage 11 games in his final year at the Cats, spending three entirely in the sub vest, as Geelong’s established stars locked developing youngsters out of the side.
Denied the opportunity to impress last year, Clark looks set to make the most of his chance at Fremantle, gathering 24 touches at half-back in the Dockers’ final pre-season hit out.
But while he appears part of Fremantle’s preferred backline, others are set to miss the round one cut.
The Dockers have Joel Hamling, Pearce, Brennan Cox and Griffin Logue as options in the key posts, Luke Ryan, Heath Chapman, Hayden Young and Ethan Hughes as mid-sized intercept types and speedy rebounders in Clark, Nathan Wilson and Brandon Walker.
Wilson appeared to injure his shoulder against the Eagles but a selection headache is still likely when the Dockers face Adelaide in round one.
“I’ve come from a background where that’s happened,” Clark said.
“The thing I want to drill into the lads is that it’s a good thing for the club. It’s a matter of not getting down on yourself, getting around each other and embracing each other.
“We want to be in the position where good players are missing out. Looking at it the other way, when there is an injury, we’re able to play someone who we know is up to the level as well.”
Clark also has a lot to prove to himself in a new role down back.
But with a consistent stint at the top level, the 21-year-old believes he can build confidence and finally draw on what he learnt at Geelong and so far at Fremantle.
“Anyone going to Geelong shouldn’t expect an easy game every week given the quality of personnel they’ve got running around. At times I had to learn that’s how it was,” he said.
“It didn’t take much of a toll on me. I just had to change a few things and embrace the fact I could learn from them as much as I could so when my opportunity arrived, I can apply what those boys have taught me.
“Part of it is getting a good run at it and stringing games together. I think that’s where my confidence will grow and I’ll be able to play my best footy.
“I’ve had a bit of a role change and I’m in the backline now. I’ve worked really closely with Matt Boyd, JL, Tendai Mzungu and a couple of the older guys in the backline. I want to take my game to the next level and help drive this club forward.
“I’ve got no hard feelings towards the Cats.”
Clark added the Dockers have plenty to work on ahead of round one after a 13 point win over West Coast in their final pre-season tune-up, down from a 97-point margin a week earlier.
“As a group we were actually pretty disappointed with how we went,” he said.
“We’ve been working on a number of things during the pre-season and unfortunately weren’t able to execute them to the level we wanted to tonight.
“We knew West Coast were going to be a completely different side. We probably didn’t expect them to give us as much as a run as they did. We probably didn’t prepare ourselves enough and got a bit complacent.
“As a group we’ve got a few focuses that don’t require skill. They require attitude and mindset. I think we’ll drive that hard over the next two weeks and really get around each other and build on our last two games and see what we can come up with for round one.”
