thomo
Team Captain
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
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- AFL Club
- Adelaide
Adelaide ruckman Matthew Clarke is recording his best running times in three years in a attempt to fill the void left by long term injurie to Ben Hudson.
But the 230 game Vetran is taking nothing fro granted as he seeks to hold down a birth in Adelaide's 22 this season.
"I can feel them coming" Clarke 32 said in reference to young Crows ruckmen Ivan Maric, John Messen and Jonathan Griffin.
So impressive have Maric, 20, Messen, 19 and, to a less degree, Griffin, 20, been over pre season that Clarke says he will battle to be Rhett Biglands ruck sidekick this season, despite slashing 10 seconds of his personal best for 3km.
"Im running as well as i ever have but these boys are coming fast, there is no doubt about it.
Promoted from the rookie list, Griffin's major off season target was to bulk up but he has been slowed by a minor groin injury.
But Clarke is stunned by how Maric and Messen have come since last season.
"They've improved out of sight" he said.
Ivan showed last year that he had the work ethic and from day one of this pre season John has really stepped up and addressed the side of his game, Clarke said. He's paying alot more attention to detail, is very athletically gifted and looks the real deal.
That was the artical in the Herald Sun this morning. The question that really needs asking here is, will Clarke play all 22 games this season with Hudson injury? Or will the young kids, Messen and Maric come in a take the 32 year old Clarke out of business?
But the 230 game Vetran is taking nothing fro granted as he seeks to hold down a birth in Adelaide's 22 this season.
"I can feel them coming" Clarke 32 said in reference to young Crows ruckmen Ivan Maric, John Messen and Jonathan Griffin.
So impressive have Maric, 20, Messen, 19 and, to a less degree, Griffin, 20, been over pre season that Clarke says he will battle to be Rhett Biglands ruck sidekick this season, despite slashing 10 seconds of his personal best for 3km.
"Im running as well as i ever have but these boys are coming fast, there is no doubt about it.
Promoted from the rookie list, Griffin's major off season target was to bulk up but he has been slowed by a minor groin injury.
But Clarke is stunned by how Maric and Messen have come since last season.
"They've improved out of sight" he said.
Ivan showed last year that he had the work ethic and from day one of this pre season John has really stepped up and addressed the side of his game, Clarke said. He's paying alot more attention to detail, is very athletically gifted and looks the real deal.
That was the artical in the Herald Sun this morning. The question that really needs asking here is, will Clarke play all 22 games this season with Hudson injury? Or will the young kids, Messen and Maric come in a take the 32 year old Clarke out of business?
