Rumour GFC 2024 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 3
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seen most people have him projected after 40 so could be there with our current first pick potentially
scoop him up in the midseason draft if he looks good.
hopefully both him and mitch edwards can hold down a number 1 spot in the vfl now
- Aug 18, 2018
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Why didn't the bays billet him to a host family and park him in a Glenelg school of they thought he was getting drafted?This kid smells like a Geelong type….. Dairy Farm... country town. … willing to travel etc
How cutting firewood helped drive SA country kid's draft dream
Hailing from the tiny town of Tantanoola, more than four hours out of Adelaide, Angus Clarke's dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividendswww.afl.com.au
How cutting firewood helped to drive SA country kid's draft dream
Hailing from the tiny town of Tantanoola, more than four hours out of Adelaide, Angus Clarke's dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividends
By Josh Gabelich
1 hr ago
Angus Clarke in action during South Australia's Marsh Under-18 Championships clash against Vic Metro on June 30, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos
THE FLIGHT from Mount Gambier to Adelaide takes 70 minutes and is bumpy on a 30-seat plane. Angus Clarke knows the route well. He flew to and from Adelaide nearly a dozen times during a season where he rose from obscurity to be on the radar of AFL clubs across the land.
Not many, if any, draft prospects have travelled further or dug into their own pocket more than Clarke has this year. But that dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividends at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
The 18-year-old hails from the tiny farming town Tantanoola, 30 minutes out of Mount Gambier, four and a half hours away from Adelaide. Less than 500 people live in this neck of the woods, where Clarke has grown up working on the family dairy farm.
Clarke has risen from no chance in the pre-season to be a genuine top 40 chance this month, following a stellar campaign for South Australia and Glenelg. But the on-field only reveals a fraction of this story. Getting picked for the state team required a level of commitment from not only the defender, but from Clarke's parents Michelle and Stuart.
Nine-hour roundtrips in the car to Adelaide were part of the winter routine, but not always feasible. Flights from Mount Gambier airport were the other option – the more expensive alternative – which is why Clarke started a side hustle selling cut firewood to help cover some of the expenses.
"My Pa has a scrub on his farm, so after school when I'm free, I cut wood with a chainsaw, split the wood by hand and go and sell it,” Clarke told AFL.com.au at the AFL Draft Combine in October.
"I sell stringy bark loads of wood to help pay for my flights up to Adelaide. I halve whatever I sell with mum and dad to help cover the costs of the flights. I flew up every Friday when I was playing for the state team and it's about $250 per flight and I sell a ute load for $200.
"I came up with the idea when someone came up to me and asked, 'Do you sell wood?' I thought, you know what, I can do that. It just grew from there. Word of mouth in a country town."
Sitting on level three of the MCG a week after the 2024 Grand Final, where the last semblance of the footy season is Brisbane's fading logo on the broadcast wing, Clarke is close to realising a childhood dream. He can't believe he is sitting here. And he knows he wouldn’t be without the staunch support of his family.
"I wouldn't be in this scenario right now if it wasn't for my parents. It is a big commitment, 4.5 hrs drive each way," Clarke said.
"When the state program started, my dad took me up every Wednesday. We'd leave at 10.15am and we would make it just in time. Then the next day we would leave at 4 in the morning to get back for work. I helped dad on the farm to start the day because I don't start school on Thursdays until 10.15. I would cut wood and drop a load of wood off."
Unlike Glenelg teammates, Ben and Lucas Camporeale, who formally nominated to join Carlton as father-son selections last month and grew up in the city, where the twins attended Sacred Heart College, Clarke was out of sight, out of mind for a long time.
The 188cm half-back played 17 games for the Bays in the under-18s in 2023, but seldom at the level he reached in 2024. A switch was flicked earlier this year. He settled in defence. His confidence grew by the week. He methodically crossed off one goal at a time, and when he shone for South Australia against Vic Country and Vic Metro, interest from recruiters spiked.
"I've probably flown under the radar a bit with my footy. I started with little confidence coming into the state program. My goal was just to make the pre-season program. I made that and I was over the moon," he said.
"Then I ended up playing some good footy between the pre-season and when the state footy started. I ended up making the side and was even more over the moon then. We got into the meeting and didn't think I'd be getting a game with the state side. Then I played every game and I was absolutely stoked. Played well and ended up being here at the Combine.
"The goal as a four-year-old running around the oval back home in the country was to make it to the big league. It feels closer to reality now."
Clarke's steep improvement during his time with the South Australian program showed AFL clubs the height of his ceiling. He didn't train with Glenelg when he played 10 games in the under-18s this year. The travel made it too hard around school commitments. Recruiters know he will be a big beneficiary of a full-time environment.
Clarke hasn't had to look too far for inspiration. Essendon star Mason Redman grew up down the road in Millicent, before relocating to Adelaide in his draft year. The teenager models his game on the 27-year-old, who has played 124 games for the Bombers since being selected at pick No.30 in the 2015 AFL Draft.
"I've practically gone his pathway," he said. "I try and base my game around him. He is that half-back with the run. He grew up 15 minutes away."
No matter what happens on November 20 or 21 – or the Rookie Draft on the 22nd – Clarke is packing up his life and moving away from home. If he goes undrafted, he will move to Adelaide to play in the SANFL and work on his uncle's farm near the city.
But it shouldn't get to that.
Clarke has been preparing to leave home for some time. He is willing to go anywhere in the country to play AFL and has met with more than a handful of clubs, including Hawthorn, who made the 11-hour round trip from Waverley Park to visit him at home late in the season.
"It doesn't hold any fears for me. You're like all the recruiters. They all ask how I will go moving away. I tell them I'm moving anyway; I'm moving to Adelaide next year if I don’t get drafted," he said.
"Dad has always said the farm will always be there. Go live your life first and you can always come back. Dad was an accountant first and then he came back to the farm. He likes to tell us he is the most knowledgeable dairy farmer in the south-east."
Clarke could be out of Tantanoola by the end of November and might not be back permanently for a long time. If his AFL career goes to plan, there will be endless flights to come. But none will be as bumpy as the flight in and out of Mount Gambier.
I haven't watched a second of footage but I think he we should draft him with our firstThis kid smells like a Geelong type….. Dairy Farm... country town. … willing to travel etc
How cutting firewood helped drive SA country kid's draft dream
Hailing from the tiny town of Tantanoola, more than four hours out of Adelaide, Angus Clarke's dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividends
How cutting firewood helped to drive SA country kid's draft dream
Hailing from the tiny town of Tantanoola, more than four hours out of Adelaide, Angus Clarke's dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividends
By Josh Gabelich
1 hr ago
Angus Clarke in action during South Australia's Marsh Under-18 Championships clash against Vic Metro on June 30, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos
THE FLIGHT from Mount Gambier to Adelaide takes 70 minutes and is bumpy on a 30-seat plane. Angus Clarke knows the route well. He flew to and from Adelaide nearly a dozen times during a season where he rose from obscurity to be on the radar of AFL clubs across the land.
Not many, if any, draft prospects have travelled further or dug into their own pocket more than Clarke has this year. But that dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividends at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
The 18-year-old hails from the tiny farming town Tantanoola, 30 minutes out of Mount Gambier, four and a half hours away from Adelaide. Less than 500 people live in this neck of the woods, where Clarke has grown up working on the family dairy farm.
Clarke has risen from no chance in the pre-season to be a genuine top 40 chance this month, following a stellar campaign for South Australia and Glenelg. But the on-field only reveals a fraction of this story. Getting picked for the state team required a level of commitment from not only the defender, but from Clarke's parents Michelle and Stuart.
Nine-hour roundtrips in the car to Adelaide were part of the winter routine, but not always feasible. Flights from Mount Gambier airport were the other option – the more expensive alternative – which is why Clarke started a side hustle selling cut firewood to help cover some of the expenses.
"My Pa has a scrub on his farm, so after school when I'm free, I cut wood with a chainsaw, split the wood by hand and go and sell it,” Clarke told AFL.com.au at the AFL Draft Combine in October.
"I sell stringy bark loads of wood to help pay for my flights up to Adelaide. I halve whatever I sell with mum and dad to help cover the costs of the flights. I flew up every Friday when I was playing for the state team and it's about $250 per flight and I sell a ute load for $200.
"I came up with the idea when someone came up to me and asked, 'Do you sell wood?' I thought, you know what, I can do that. It just grew from there. Word of mouth in a country town."
Sitting on level three of the MCG a week after the 2024 Grand Final, where the last semblance of the footy season is Brisbane's fading logo on the broadcast wing, Clarke is close to realising a childhood dream. He can't believe he is sitting here. And he knows he wouldn’t be without the staunch support of his family.
"I wouldn't be in this scenario right now if it wasn't for my parents. It is a big commitment, 4.5 hrs drive each way," Clarke said.
"When the state program started, my dad took me up every Wednesday. We'd leave at 10.15am and we would make it just in time. Then the next day we would leave at 4 in the morning to get back for work. I helped dad on the farm to start the day because I don't start school on Thursdays until 10.15. I would cut wood and drop a load of wood off."
Unlike Glenelg teammates, Ben and Lucas Camporeale, who formally nominated to join Carlton as father-son selections last month and grew up in the city, where the twins attended Sacred Heart College, Clarke was out of sight, out of mind for a long time.
The 188cm half-back played 17 games for the Bays in the under-18s in 2023, but seldom at the level he reached in 2024. A switch was flicked earlier this year. He settled in defence. His confidence grew by the week. He methodically crossed off one goal at a time, and when he shone for South Australia against Vic Country and Vic Metro, interest from recruiters spiked.
"I've probably flown under the radar a bit with my footy. I started with little confidence coming into the state program. My goal was just to make the pre-season program. I made that and I was over the moon," he said.
"Then I ended up playing some good footy between the pre-season and when the state footy started. I ended up making the side and was even more over the moon then. We got into the meeting and didn't think I'd be getting a game with the state side. Then I played every game and I was absolutely stoked. Played well and ended up being here at the Combine.
"The goal as a four-year-old running around the oval back home in the country was to make it to the big league. It feels closer to reality now."
Clarke's steep improvement during his time with the South Australian program showed AFL clubs the height of his ceiling. He didn't train with Glenelg when he played 10 games in the under-18s this year. The travel made it too hard around school commitments. Recruiters know he will be a big beneficiary of a full-time environment.
Clarke hasn't had to look too far for inspiration. Essendon star Mason Redman grew up down the road in Millicent, before relocating to Adelaide in his draft year. The teenager models his game on the 27-year-old, who has played 124 games for the Bombers since being selected at pick No.30 in the 2015 AFL Draft.
"I've practically gone his pathway," he said. "I try and base my game around him. He is that half-back with the run. He grew up 15 minutes away."
No matter what happens on November 20 or 21 – or the Rookie Draft on the 22nd – Clarke is packing up his life and moving away from home. If he goes undrafted, he will move to Adelaide to play in the SANFL and work on his uncle's farm near the city.
But it shouldn't get to that.
Clarke has been preparing to leave home for some time. He is willing to go anywhere in the country to play AFL and has met with more than a handful of clubs, including Hawthorn, who made the 11-hour round trip from Waverley Park to visit him at home late in the season.
"It doesn't hold any fears for me. You're like all the recruiters. They all ask how I will go moving away. I tell them I'm moving anyway; I'm moving to Adelaide next year if I don’t get drafted," he said.
"Dad has always said the farm will always be there. Go live your life first and you can always come back. Dad was an accountant first and then he came back to the farm. He likes to tell us he is the most knowledgeable dairy farmer in the south-east."
Clarke could be out of Tantanoola by the end of November and might not be back permanently for a long time. If his AFL career goes to plan, there will be endless flights to come. But none will be as bumpy as the flight in and out of Mount Gambier.
Edit: seen some footage, good turn of pace, runs in straight lines, good by foot, want to see hit use his left or, jump with any amount of spring.
Last edited:
For a scrawny young kid, he's quite assertive in the air.
Shades of what we have seen from O'Sullivan in the reserves this year.
Has uncanny long reach with arm extension, judges ball flight extremely well and has 'excellent poise' including disposal. A lot to like about this kid with him being an almost Zac Guthrie clone including physic with a little bit of Connor O'Sullivan thrown in. May take time but looks a real likely type and seems 'plenty mentally tough' for his slim build which is also highly admirable. Players like this young man are worth investing in.
How cutting firewood helped drive SA country kid's draft dream
Hailing from the tiny town of Tantanoola, more than four hours out of Adelaide, Angus Clarke's dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividends
www.afl.com.au
Has uncanny long reach with arm extension, judges ball flight extremely well and has 'excellent poise' including disposal. A lot to like about this kid with him being an almost Zac Guthrie clone including physic with a little bit of Connor O'Sullivan thrown in. May take time but looks a real likely type and seems 'plenty mentally tough' for his slim build which is also highly admirable. Players like this young man are worth investing in.
How cutting firewood helped drive SA country kid's draft dream
Hailing from the tiny town of Tantanoola, more than four hours out of Adelaide, Angus Clarke's dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividends
Only 6ft'2?
I thought he was closer to 6ft'5 going by those highlights.
Thats a bit too parochial for me...
As our first is in the 40’s probably fair enough ...
2024 AFL Draft Guide View
2024 AFL Draft Guide The 2024 AFL Draft Guide features individual full-page profiles on each of the available AFL Draft Combine invitees.
central.rookieme.com
Has uncanny long reach with arm extension, judges ball flight extremely well and has 'excellent poise' including disposal. A lot to like about this kid with him being an almost Zac Guthrie clone including physic with a little bit of Connor O'Sullivan thrown in. May take time but looks a real likely type and seems 'plenty mentally tough' for his slim build which is also highly admirable. Players like this young man are worth investing in.
How cutting firewood helped drive SA country kid's draft dream
Hailing from the tiny town of Tantanoola, more than four hours out of Adelaide, Angus Clarke's dedication and sacrifice is about to pay dividends
Try to project what he would be like when 22 or 23 he has some appeal....Id love to see some video of Stewart when he was in his draft year at the Falcons…
As our first is in the 40’s probably fair enough ...
View attachment 2160458
2024 AFL Draft Guide View
2024 AFL Draft Guide The 2024 AFL Draft Guide features individual full-page profiles on each of the available AFL Draft Combine invitees.
I reckon he goes a tad earlier than that. Similar type to Jaques. Not really sure who I prefer..
It why they get paid the big bickies… if both are available . Perhaps they get some inside knowledge on who else is interested etc…. and of course we always have the chance of trying to bring a Falcon back home later if we miss him and want him.
There is probably a good chance both are gone..
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Shannon works with Gerard Majda (sp?) (BodyMajic) who’s a legendary personal trainer in WA. Works with many athletes but predominantly AFL footballers. Here’s a link to a podcast Shannon did with him maybe 12 months ago…interesting listen. (This one Apple but I’m sure it’ll be on other platforms as well)
- Aug 18, 2018
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- Geelong
Pretty sure every club does it. Parfitt moved from Darwin to play for the Roosters for eg
Perhaps a slow burner..
A year at Port and then maybe he is draft ready for someone ?
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With the draft only 12 days away thought it would be interesting to see what your “realistic, ideal” draft would be?
For me I think it’s essential we target a couple of talls with our picks. Having lost Hawkins and Foster this area of our list requires replenishing. Other than that we could do with a ruck but I’d be waiting for the rookie draft to add a ruck to our list.
So for me I’d be trading our FF with one of Richmond’s late first rounders to secure Gerreyn who I see as a KPF with lots of scope for improvement.
Our next pick I’m hoping that either Jaques or Angus Clarke are available. Both good ball users, intercept marks, and smart decision makers. Probably leaning slightly towards Clarke with his extra height but happy to take either.
Our last 2 picks will be really determined by who’s left. Both late picks. I imagine one will be used on Jack Henderson based on the links we’ve heard.
Clancy Dennis would be a good tall defender to take if available with one of our last two picks. Other WA kids in Boxhall and Hayes are also attractive options late.
For me I think it’s essential we target a couple of talls with our picks. Having lost Hawkins and Foster this area of our list requires replenishing. Other than that we could do with a ruck but I’d be waiting for the rookie draft to add a ruck to our list.
So for me I’d be trading our FF with one of Richmond’s late first rounders to secure Gerreyn who I see as a KPF with lots of scope for improvement.
Our next pick I’m hoping that either Jaques or Angus Clarke are available. Both good ball users, intercept marks, and smart decision makers. Probably leaning slightly towards Clarke with his extra height but happy to take either.
Our last 2 picks will be really determined by who’s left. Both late picks. I imagine one will be used on Jack Henderson based on the links we’ve heard.
Clancy Dennis would be a good tall defender to take if available with one of our last two picks. Other WA kids in Boxhall and Hayes are also attractive options late.
sort of a club phantom?
If we trade in I think it will be for someone like Clark who we think are linked to other clubs and will go before our pick… as most of the names we have dream mentioned will probably be gone by the pick we can acquire. but if a Shanahan or Hotton etc are then then just based on talent we take them I like Sims before Gerryn but I think we are more likely to look at more mobile types… as it seems the Chris Scott manifesto. SA clubs only have a small number of picks ..do we trade in and take Dodson? We like the type he represents , multi sport player background.. almost tall mid.
I agree on Hugh Boxshall …he is one player that we might throw a dart at … killed the state combine
If we do not take a tall early I hope we look hard at Burmiester with a late pick ..who to me seem a great canvas to paint on...
…..Burmeister’s impressive leap was showcased at the National Draft Combine, where he placed third in the standing vertical jump (74cm) and sixth in the running vertical jump (90cm). His ability to cover ground was also proven in the data with a 3.05-second 20-metre sprint and 6:36 2km time trial. Not only nimble, Burmeister is quite dextrous in that he is capable of following up at ground level and scoops up the ball well below his knees…..
Floyd Burmeister Draft Profile
GWV Rebels ruck-forward Floyd Burmeister burst onto the scene in 2024, showcasing his promising athletic upside and aerial ability.
central.rookieme.com
If we go for a tall early with Gerryn etc then a late WA mid I liked in the champs was Luke Urquhart.
I think we continue with what has worked …and we try to add a mature late ..Davidson or Bice or Henderson etc.. if not in the main or as a rookie.
We probably add a tall as a Rookie …would we look at Lowther .. A GFalcon tall?
sort of a club phantom?
If we trade in I think it will be for someone like Clark who we think are linked to other clubs and will go before our pick… as most of the names we have dream mentioned will probably be gone by the pick we can acquire. but if a Shanahan or Hotton etc are then then just based on talent we take them I like Sims before Gerryn but I think we are more likely to look at more mobile types… as it seems the Chris Scott manifesto. SA clubs only have a small number of picks ..do we trade in and take Dodson? We like the type he represents , multi sport player background.. almost tall mid.
I agree on Hugh Boxshall …he is one player that we might throw a dart at … killed the state combine
If we do not take a tall early I hope we look hard at Burmiester with a late pick ..who to me seem a great canvas to paint on...
…..Burmeister’s impressive leap was showcased at the National Draft Combine, where he placed third in the standing vertical jump (74cm) and sixth in the running vertical jump (90cm). His ability to cover ground was also proven in the data with a 3.05-second 20-metre sprint and 6:36 2km time trial. Not only nimble, Burmeister is quite dextrous in that he is capable of following up at ground level and scoops up the ball well below his knees…..
Floyd Burmeister Draft Profile
GWV Rebels ruck-forward Floyd Burmeister burst onto the scene in 2024, showcasing his promising athletic upside and aerial ability.
View attachment 2160739
If we go for a tall early with Gerryn etc then a late WA mid I liked in the champs was Luke Urquhart.
I think we continue with what has worked …and we try to add a mature late ..Davidson or Bice or Henderson etc.. if not in the main or as a rookie.
We probably add a tall as a Rookie …would we look at Lowther .. A GFalcon tall?
We all see different things in different players. I like/prefer the physicality of Gerreyn against the more mobility of Burmeister. But I can see his appeal. Would be happy with Sims.
Clark is probably going to go before our first which means we’d have to trade in. But would you do that for a hbf’r? Not sure I would knowing you can probably land Jaques without paying too heavily.
They would've had to have organised that prior to 2024 school year. Sounds like he wasn't much of a draft prospect until mid-way through 2024 season - from the article:
"Clarke was out of sight, out of mind for a long time. The 188cm half-back played 17 games for the Bays in the under-18s in 2023, but seldom at the level he reached in 2024. A switch was flicked earlier this year. He settled in defence. His confidence grew by the week."
- Aug 18, 2018
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- AFL Club
- Geelong
Makes sense. We do love a bolter
- Aug 18, 2018
- 32,235
- 54,895
- AFL Club
- Geelong
Well this has been a thrilling pick swap period
Apologies if some has already asked this question.
I don’t follow how we have “3 INS” and 10 “outs”. We don’t have 7 picks in the draft as far as I know.
What are peoples thoughts on how we get a full squad?
Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
I don’t follow how we have “3 INS” and 10 “outs”. We don’t have 7 picks in the draft as far as I know.
What are peoples thoughts on how we get a full squad?
Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
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