What Will He Bring - Charlie Clarke

After waiting nearly an hour on Night One of the draft to bring in Jedd Busslinger, the Western Bulldogs barely had to wait 10 minutes on Night Two for their second draft pick.

When it did come, the Bulldogs couldn’t blurt out Charlie Clarke’s name quickly enough. While the Dogs had been keen on Clarke for a considerable period of time, so too were the Giants. But when GWS passed on Clarke twice in the picks leading up to the Bulldogs 24th pick, the club pounced, and secured the livewire forward to their ranks.

Charlie Clarke has all the qualities needed to become a popular figure among the fanbase. Source: Getty Images

THE PLAYER

Charlie Clarke

Height: 182cm

Weight: 80kg

Position: Small Forward

Club: Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

WHAT THEY SAID:

“A small forward who shot to prominence in the NAB League when he kicked seven goals against the Tasmania Devils in just his fourth game in the competition earlier this year. Was able to win plenty of the ball, averaging 19 disposals for the Sandringham Dragons in their premiership year. Was rewarded with selection in the NAB League Team of the Year. He was also prominent for Victoria Metro as a pressure forward, kicking six goals in four matches in their Championship-winning team. His 6:26 seconds for the 2km time trial at the 2022 NAB AFL Draft Combine highlighted his endurance and work ethic.” – AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan

“A hard-working half forward who turned up and played at the same level throughout the year. He kicked 29 goals in 15 games for the Sandringham Dragons across their season, including 10 across the finals series, and showed his craft and tenacity inside 50.” – Cal Twomey

2022 SEASON:

After featuring briefly in the NAB League for the Sandringham Dragons in 2021, Clarke spent the 2022 season showcasing all the hallmarks of a top-line small forward in the modern game, with his pressure and goalsense in particular standing out. Over the course of the 15 games he played for Sandringham this year, Clarke booted 29 goals (highlighted by a seven-goal haul against Tasmania in Round 4) and was held goalless in only two of those games.

Clarke also spent large portions of the season being able to contribute in other ways, as well. Averaging 18.6 disposals across the year, Clarke also recorded 1.3 goal assists per game, and 7.9 score assists, as well as 3.4 tackles, highlighting the energy he brings to any forward he is a part of. His form was rewarded with a selection in the NAB League Team of the Year.

Charlie Clarke could well be playing alongside Rhylee West in the forward line in 2023. Source: Western Bulldogs

WHAT WILL HE BRING?

Like Busslinger, Clarke fills a need that the Dogs have been sorely lacking for most of the past couple of seasons. As talented as the Bulldogs tall forwards are, they are well short on smaller options in the forward line, with Cody Weightman previously being the only legitimate small forward on the list.

Clarke brings all of the desirable traits that you could want in a small forward. Averaging almost two goals a game in the NAB League this season, he will be a viable goalkicking option up forward, adding to an already vast array of talent up forward.

But Clarke brings more than goals. While his 1.9 goals per game were rated “elite” by Champion Data, his average goal assists (1.3) and score involvements (7.9) were also both rated “elite”, meaning that not only can he impact the game without needing to directly hit the scoreboard, but he’s also very adept at bringing his teammates into the game and setting them up for goalscoring opportunities as well.

Clarke is also one of the best pressure-forwards among the draft pool this year, averaging 3.4 tackles per game this season as well. His pressure and energy will be a huge addition to the Bulldogs forward line, and combined with his eye for goal, it’s easy to see him becoming a popular figure among the fanbase in the coming years.

DID YOU KNOW?

The last three Charlie’s to play for the Bulldogs all went on to appear in a Grand Final for the club. Charlie Stewart and Charlie Evans both played in Footscray’s 1961 decider against Hawthorn, while Charlie Sutton famously captained the club to the ultimate success in 1954.