Raphael Clarke

[Get Smart 86]

Sorry if this has already been done.
Curious about this kid.
Do you Saints guys see Raphael Clarke as a permanent player in the near future for the SAINTS.
Is he in your opinion going to make it?

 

[SpInNeR]

Will he become a talented senior player??? Most likely


Does he deserve senior games at this point of time??? Absolutely not.

 

[Bourky23]

Will he become a talented senior player??? Most likely


Does he deserve senior games at this point of time??? Absolutely not.

probably have to agree... but i don't know who should come into the side for him

 

[nicko016]

I certainly see him becoming an important player in the future. I also thnk that he is in our best 22. Some people have forgotten how good he was last year and I though he was good on the weekend with his run and flair out of defence apart from one time he got caught.

 

[sainter]

I thought he was terrible against the Dockers but was much better on Friday night. There was the one instance where he seemed to have no awareness and was caught from behind but aside from that he was very solid. He may give the impression that he's slow and disinterested but it's just his laconic nature. The major question mark I have over the Clarke brothers is whether they can remain injury free for a full season. Both of them have struggled with injuries for the last few years and I just hope it's down to bad luck and nothing to do with their body types that would make injuries unavoidable.

 

[Emmo]

Yeah i think he needs to spend some serious time in the 2's. its not only his awareness but his decision making. Not even the players trust him last quarter on Fri he was free on numerous acasions and we still wouldnt kick it to him his only possesion came when the dogs kicked it to him.

But i do think he will come good just needs some game time.

 

[Fehring]

In a side that is short on pace and a backline that is short on height, we need Raph right now. Loose cannon? Yes. Occasional brain fade? Yes. Surprising pace and the ability to burn his opponent? Yes.

And finally, with four talls in the forward line it gives you a bit of latitude to delivery it less-than-perfectly and still get away with it. I wouldn't have him out of the team for quids.

And yes, Get Smart, he will be a super player for us.

Whenever I get into an argument with people about the Clarkes I feel like I'm replaying my arguments from the 90s about the Wakelins all over again. I loved the Wakelins.

 

[SpInNeR]

The wakelins were rubbish....


Darryl posed some talent but Shane was woeful....

 

[Fehring]

The wakelins were rubbish....


Darryl posed some talent but Shane was woeful....

Ah, the memories.

 

[bubblegoose]

Yeah i think he needs to spend some serious time in the 2's. its not only his awareness but his decision making. Not even the players trust him last quarter on Fri he was free on numerous acasions and we still wouldnt kick it to him his only possesion came when the dogs kicked it to him. But i do think he will come good just needs some game time.

I'm of a similar opinion to you Emmo, but I differ in that I think his game time should be in the firsts to get first class development into him over the next couple of years. His decision making & awareness should come with experience & confidence. I'd imagine your confidence would take a hit if your team mates didn't have the belief in you to do the job well. He can mark & run & shows promise. I'd really love Raph to take some giant (Gram-like) leaps forward next year.

 

[Emmo]

I'm of a similar opinion to you Emmo, but I differ in that I think his game time should be in the firsts to get first class development into him over the next couple of years. His decision making & awareness should come with experience & confidence. I'd imagine your confidence would take a hit if your team mates didn't have the belief in you to do the job well. He can mark & run & shows promise. I'd really love Raph to take some giant (Gram-like) leaps forward next year.

Yeah fair call mate.i still think maybe a week or 2 with the scorps' just to unfit but in saying that i suppose he could do that in the 1's...hopefully he has a blinder tomorrow

 

[sainter]

I'm a little surprised by this thread.

I thought he was very good the other night and more than justified his spot in the team.

Just get used to having your hearts in your mouths when either of the Clarkes have the ball. It's nice to have a bit of flair in the team.

 

[bubblegoose]

Just get used to having your hearts in your mouths when either of the Clarkes have the ball. It's nice to have a bit of flair in the team.

amen brother!

 

[SpInNeR]

...Delist

 

[panthers]

FFS spanner jump of us will you please...thats if you have ever really been a saints fan...Raph did a hammy last night and you want to delist him? W anker

 

[nicko016]

...Delist

Not going to happen. You have to have faith and put time into your young players. He had a good year last year and injury ruined his year this year. I wonder if you were saying that as about Brendon Goddard at the end of last year. He is a prime example of putting faith into young players and then reaping the rewards.

 

[SpInNeR]

...of couse we are not going to delist h8im...but the bloke is a monkey...he is not capable of playing senior football. Mistake after mistake is enough...thommo has to drop the axe with players...make some competition in retaining a spot.

 

[evertonfc]

When he sorts our his lack of awareness, he'll be a fine player.

Needs to add about 10kg to his frame and begin to impose himself physically. He's just a gangly backman at the moment.

 

[The Punter]

Spinner - calling Clarke what you called him - all class. Hopefully you get pulled up about that.

Should he be delisted - hell no. Thankfully the footy club doesn't make rash decisions within hours of losing finals.

He played five games this year, and with a full pre-season, hopefully he can improve on 2005.