2025 Pre-Season chat

[Gazza Greatness]

I don't like Clark at half back at all. We have moved on the senior mids from the VFL team. I'd be telling him to go out and get 30+ every week in the midfield in the VFL and bang the door down and wait for the senior opportunity. Pretty much every other inside mid we have has versatility and can play elsewhere. If he is going good enough we could accommodate him as a mid.

Interesting point you make Hamingja:...... as the one point I'd like to raise in regards to Jhye Clark and that's the selectors in no shape or form should give extra assistance to him as being good enough to be in the senior side by being tried in varying positions within team, whether in the present or future because of his No 7 draft selection, as it should have no bearing at all. Because if they do, then they are displaying a favourable prejudice towards Jhye and giving him a better opportunity of playing in the senior side, as opposed to others who may-be equally or if not more deserving of being in the team. If they were to do this, it would be showing a very unsavoury side of selection integrity but also a major weakness and flaw when it comes to their own responsibilities towards selection integrity, for draft positions should have no bearing.

Now I'm not saying for one moment that this is the case, in fact it's the very first time I've spoken on the matter but when others are suggesting as to why Jhye maybe groomed to play half back, given the coaches are not confident of him playing midfield which he was initially drafted and groomed for, then I can see why there may-be concerns..... but hey, this maybe all legit and above board and all is OK.

 

[BORIS332]

I don't like Clark at half back at all. We have moved on the senior mids from the VFL team. I'd be telling him to go out and get 30+ every week in the midfield in the VFL and bang the door down and wait for the senior opportunity. Pretty much every other inside mid we have has versatility and can play elsewhere. If he is going good enough we could accommodate him as a mid.

I’m still backing Clark in, but I’m worried he might not have the work ethic. Just saw a couple things on the socials this offseason that made me think maybe footy’s not his #1 priority. To be clear, nothing major, just a few hints here and there juxtaposed against the content of guys like Neale and Smith who are at the other end of the extreme.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I’m still backing Clark in, but I’m worried he might not have the work ethic. Just saw a couple things on the socials this offseason that made me think maybe footy’s not his #1 priority. To be clear, nothing major, just a few hints here and there juxtaposed against the content of guys like Neale and Smith who are at the other end of the extreme.

It's a big if, but if that is to be the case it's particularly concerning when it's a player of Clark's standing.

We knew he was never an athletic freak, overly tall, or lightning quick, but the one thing we all thought we could bank on was his work ethic, and as a result, his leadership.

Not accusing Danger of this at all, but someone like him could still get by even if he wasn't putting in the hard yards. He's just got such ludicrous athletic gifts that he could have still made it regardless.

Jhye isn't blessed in that way, and very few are. He needs to be giving football his all if he's going to become anything close to the player we hoped for.

Hopefully it's nothing though, and we're spitballing a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I’m still backing Clark in, but I’m worried he might not have the work ethic. Just saw a couple things on the socials this offseason that made me think maybe footy’s not his #1 priority. To be clear, nothing major, just a few hints here and there juxtaposed against the content of guys like Neale and Smith who are at the other end of the extreme.

Interesting point Boris332: as I myself look for potential weaknesses or strengths when it comes to observing individuals with Neale and Smith a good example. I don't know what you seen in regards to Jhye Clark re: socials but it was enough for you to make a passing comment which is fair enough. But I will say one favourable comment when it comes to Jhye and that is his unwavering determined focus on ball and man, let's just hope in his preseason activities and training, that his focus is of the same and he doesn't fall into the trap of what so many young footballers can do which, is start focusing in areas that are not in their best interests.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I’m still backing Clark in, but I’m worried he might not have the work ethic. Just saw a couple things on the socials this offseason that made me think maybe footy’s not his #1 priority. To be clear, nothing major, just a few hints here and there juxtaposed against the content of guys like Neale and Smith who are at the other end of the extreme.

I wouldn't put heaps of stock in Jhyes lack of social media volumes. Could be he's just a private person

 

[00VicWard001]

It's a big if, but if that is to be the case it's particularly concerning when it's a player of Clark's standing.

We knew he was never an athletic freak, overly tall, or lightning quick, but the one thing we all thought we could bank on was his work ethic, and as a result, his leadership.

Not accusing Danger of this at all, but someone like him could still get by even if he wasn't putting in the hard yards. He's just got such ludicrous athletic gifts that he could have still made it regardless.

Jhye isn't blessed in that way, and very few are. He needs to be giving football his all if he's going to become anything close to the player we hoped for.

Hopefully it's nothing though, and we're spitballing a problem that doesn't exist.

Soon after the season ended, before the players were required back, I saw Jhye and Ted and Mitch Nevitt doing laps around Kardinia park. All looked very fit and healthy and were working hard.