Roast Marty Clarke

[pauly_moss]

I will be wearing some green at this weekends game in support of Marty Clarke, love the way this guy goes about it for a bloke playing ONLY his 5oth game in AFL. This guy shows much more promise and talent then most 50 gamers

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Current Ben Johnson role? How current is Ben Johnson, given he hasn't played all year?

Currently, if you asked Ben Johnson what his role was in the team, that's what he might say.

 

[Knightmare]

i wasnt that unhappy when marty clarke left... i always thought he was a bit of an experiment, rather than a genuinely good player... he's not the best kick of the oval ball, he's not quite big enough to be a genuine backman, not good enough to be a forward pocket and he's not a freakish athlete to be molded...

im assuming we got him back to the club for next to nothing, so no gripes about who we could of got ahead him, for i dont think we would have got anyone better... im just worried that we're wasting time on him, he's never going to become a good enough footballer that i'll think 'wow, that guy is something special' let alone a week in week out contributor like a shane obree or such...

i also think he's taken it a bit too lightly, going off for 2 seasons back to ireland to do whatever, then just coming back into the side... this is a professional sport played by professionals, not weekenders like gaelic football...

my question is: if marty clarke was an australian, would he really have made it to playing elite level afl football?

probably not...

You undersell Clarke and I sense your anger at him having left the club and then having to overpay to get him back. Anger and emotion is never the way to analyse a player objectively with any accuracy.

Clarke is not an All Australian quality player and likely won't ever be. But he can certainly play a role and with our injury depleted squad is certainly best 22 right now and likely to be a key contributor this year. Can very much be and has in the past been an every week performer. His kicking despite your thoughts is one of the best kicks in the competition and I'd debate that he is an elite kick. It's a rare day that he misses any targets, just weights his kicks so beautifully and has nice penetration on it. Endurance is very, very good. Tackling is allot better than it was and is looking like a solid aspect of his game now. One intangible I like is that he can perform on the big stage and lift in those key moments.

As for weaknesses: hands in close could get better, is very left foot reliant and could probably become a stronger mark overhead but otherwise I mostly like his game.

Speed is suffient. Not a quick player but that doesn't concern me and with his endurance he can go at top speed for longer than the next guy.

On roles he can play back flank, wing or on a forward flank without great difficulties.

I do agree that it would have been optimal that he work his way back through the VFL side, but with our injury situation and with lower level players such as Sinclair in the senior side there is little point holding him back.

 

[bennymac1]

TOAST; TO MARTY CLARKE FOR REACHING 50 GAMES.

He's been in our best players in 2 of our 3 games, not bad for a player a lot said we shouldn't have got back to the club. And the good news is he will only get better as the season goes on, especially when the finals come along and the players with greater endurance become so important.

On Friday Night, when most of the team were out on their feet thanks to a lack of rotations, Marty was still going strong.

i'll toast to the kid aswel, martins easing back in nicely, although didnt set the world alight in round 1, in the last 2 he's progressed steadly, so keep up the work lad, and congrats on your 50

 

[regpies]

Give him a break, he's 3 games back and the game is very different.

I assumed we went for him to fill Leon's role when he decided to go.

 

[otfc42]

TOAST; TO MARTY CLARKE FOR REACHING 50 GAMES.

He's been in our best players in 2 of our 3 games, not bad for a player a lot said we shouldn't have got back to the club. And the good news is he will only get better as the season goes on, especially when the finals come along and the players with greater endurance become so important.

On Friday Night, when most of the team were out on their feet thanks to a lack of rotations, Marty was still going strong.

About time. The kid is reaching 50 games this season and that is cause for celebration. Granted his first 30 games where better than his last 20 but at least he has a crack and will always put his head over the bal. He is also one player that when you see him with the ball in his hands he is a damn good chance of hitting his target.

Well done Marty

 

[jackcass]

and this X 2

one thing the OP needs to consider - no team exists with a champion list of 22. you have maybe, if lucky, 6 elite, hopefully 10 permanent fixtures, and then fingers crossed the rest (including those in the 2nds) arent spud enough to really stink when called upon. thats what we had at the end of 2010. and we do have now, if the injury list was smaller.

from what ive seen so far this year, MC is definitely in the 10 permanent fixtures list now. he needs game time, and like didak, its only game time in the seniors that is going to get him there. fitness is undoubted, so just persevere, cos he will be essential to us remaining a contender.

Yeah this. Number 10 & VJKnight are on the money. Very happy with his performances to date. Kicking is very good and the only possible knock on it is a lack of penetration, tends to lolly the ball a bit which means it takes a bit more time to reach the target. Handballing needs work. Retaining his place in the side based on merit at the moment.

 

[dubber]

I hope Marty is released in the midfield at some stage and maybe played as a small forward, i think he will surprise a few people with his skills this year. He is super fit, tough and got a good kick on him.

Flame me i am ready