Strong-bodied midfielder Greg Clark is ready to go after fighting for his AFL career the “hard way” and proving himself as a WAFL star, West Coast coach Adam Simpson says.
Clark has been confirmed as the Eagles’ 12th debutant and 42nd player used this season ahead of Friday night’s round seven clash with Richmond, just reward for years of perseverance after his dream of playing at the elite level continually went unrealised.
A three-time Subiaco premiership player, Clark was overlooked in six consecutive national drafts before the Eagles swooped late in last year’s player ballot, taking the 195cm onballer via pick 62 overall.
The 24-year-old forced AFL clubs to take notice after winning the Simpson Medal in last year’s WAFL Grand Final, before a recurrence of a shoulder injury from that game halted his ambitions of a round one debut in blue and gold.
“He showed a lot of resilience as a person, as a player to go through the draft process and not get picked up, obviously played at Subiaco, became a leader, I think he won the (best on ground) medal in the Grand Final last year and he’s done it the hard way,” Simpson said.
“Popped his shoulder early in the pre-season, missed six weeks, and he’s come back and played a couple of games at WAFL level and showed he’s ready.
“Really happy for him and can’t wait to see him play.
“He’s a bit more mature than you standard younger player, so he gets the game a bit better and he’s got high-end endurance and he knows his role.
“Not putting any greater expectations than any other debutant but he’s a bit more prepared physically.
“He’s over 190cm and he’s a man. If he can come in, play his role and help us have a win that would be great.”
Clark will debut on the big stage on Friday night in an Eagles team desperate for victory, coming in to replace midfield bull Elliot Yeo (concussion protocols).
Meanwhile, vice-captain Jeremy McGovern returns to stiffen the backline after exiting the AFL Health and Safety Protocols late last week.
Prolific wingman Andrew Gaff will be named as an emergency and could be named as medical sub as he pushes to return from an ankle injury, or he could play in the WAFL against Peel on Saturday at Mineral Resources Park.
Having slipped to 1-5 and 17th spot on the ladder, the Eagles are desperate to steady the season and improve on last round’s disappointing defeat to Port Adelaide.
“I thought the first quarter we played with real energy and commitment to the contest, and it just dropped away too quickly for us, so that’s a pattern we’ve got to stop,” Simpson said.
“Whether it’s the start, the middle or the end it doesn’t matter, but we need to be more consistent throughout a game.”
Richmond is also needing a win and arrives in Perth with a 2-4 win-loss record.
The Eagles hope their fans can fill Optus Stadium now capacity restrictions have been scrapped and make the venue a forbidding venue for opposition teams – like it was during last year’s epic come-from-behind victory over the Tigers.
“We want to make our home ground a real fortress, we want to make it a really difficult environment to play in – we think our supporters have a real role to play in that as well to make that atmosphere and environment electric,” Simpson said.
“When we’re at our best it’s absolutely difficult to play here.
“I would have thought at the moment travelling to play West Coast at home may not feel as daunting as it used to, but that doesn’t mean it can’t change and can’t change quick.”
