Raphael Clarke

[Persevering Saint]

As a defender Raph makes mistakes and the oppsositon score.
As a forward Raph is not a good kick for goal ( and we neeeed goal kickers). Also not a great midfielder. So that leaves.....

... Put him in the ruck...?

... Maybe get him to join the cheer squad, help out with the banner...?

Nah, from all reports his game last week wasn't that bad (I couldn't see it - they showed the other Sat-night game here in Crowsland). Maybe he can save his hide.

 

[MilneyLoves2Snap]

... Put him in the ruck...?

... Maybe get him to join the cheer squad, help out with the banner...?

Nah, from all reports his game last week wasn't that bad (I couldn't see it - they showed the other Sat-night game here in Crowsland). Maybe he can save his hide.

Raph looks like he doesnt have the enthusiasm to join the cheer squad.. he moved around the ground like he could not give a ____

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

All these rants about Raph Clarke make me sick - actually, they remind me of Nexus' constant bizarre tirades against Butterss and her eternal praise for Thomas.

Last weekend, Raph had:

- more disposals (19) than e.g. Hayes (15), Goddard (15), Birss (13), Montagna (11), Gram (11) or Armitage (10)

- a higher effective disposal percentage (73.68) than e.g. Hayes (73.33), Goddard (73.33), Milne (70.59), Montagna (63.64) or Gram (54.55)

- more contested possessions (5) than e.g. Hayes (4), Goddard (4), Gram (3), Birss (2) or Armitage (0)

- more / equal tackles (6) than / as e.g. Ball (6), Armitage (6), Birss (6), Montagna (3), Gram (3), Milne (2) or Goddard (2)

- more 1%ers (3) than e.g. Hayes (2), Montagna (2), Birss (0), Armitage (0) or Milne (0)

- less / equal clangers (5 - I admit that this is not a number to be proud of) than / as Milne (9), Schneider (8) and Goddard (5)

- less / equal frees against (3) than / as Milne (5) and Schneider (3)

 

[aussie86999]

The only difference is Milnes free kicks given away were 25 metres away from OUR goals not theirs as with the clangers .Disposals all depend where they go but what you have established is that he is a more effective player than Lenny Hayes ,Luke Ball,Brendon Goddard , Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna. You also left out more disposals than Nick Reiwoldt (which he would probably still got regardless of injury) .Should poll huge come Brownlow time. Its quite interesting how we all see different things and some see him as a great footballer.I wonder if they would see the same if he was wearing another jumper?

 

[CHBench]

I definitely think he;s being played out of position. His confidence is shattered, and is not cool under pressure.

Rossy should move him to the forward line, i reckon he'd be better suited there.

Btw anyone interested in Marius Clarke? 3rd of the clarke bros.

 

[MilneyLoves2Snap]

I definitely think he;s being played out of position. His confidence is shattered, and is not cool under pressure.

Rossy should move him to the forward line, i reckon he'd be better suited there.

Btw anyone interested in Marius Clarke? 3rd of the clarke bros.

The 3rd clarke brother???? ---- Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me..

We cant get fooled again

 

[gta007]

Other clubs recruit Aborgininal players, who have speed, and use them in the forward line. Why don't we give Raph a chance and let him play a HFF or FP for a few games?

 

[dan0z]

does the coach or the players tell him to hurry the f___ up when he has the ball?? because it doesnt look like he has changed a bit or has any urgency when he has the ball.. if someone just said to him "when you get the ball put your f--king skates on and get the ball forward instead of piss farting around like an overweight 14 year old". can some pass this onto the coaching staff please..
also has anybody seen him sprint ever? does he know its not illegal in this game?
Also tell him to watch how andrew lovett plays and trains.. he might learn a thing or two..

 

[sainter]

All these rants about Raph Clarke make me sick - actually, they remind me of Nexus' constant bizarre tirades against Butterss and her eternal praise for Thomas.

Last weekend, Raph had:

- more disposals (19) than e.g. Hayes (15), Goddard (15), Birss (13), Montagna (11), Gram (11) or Armitage (10)

- a higher effective disposal percentage (73.68) than e.g. Hayes (73.33), Goddard (73.33), Milne (70.59), Montagna (63.64) or Gram (54.55)

- more contested possessions (5) than e.g. Hayes (4), Goddard (4), Gram (3), Birss (2) or Armitage (0)

- more / equal tackles (6) than / as e.g. Ball (6), Armitage (6), Birss (6), Montagna (3), Gram (3), Milne (2) or Goddard (2)

- more 1%ers (3) than e.g. Hayes (2), Montagna (2), Birss (0), Armitage (0) or Milne (0)

- less / equal clangers (5 - I admit that this is not a number to be proud of) than / as Milne (9), Schneider (8) and Goddard (5)

- less / equal frees against (3) than / as Milne (5) and Schneider (3)

Did anybody in this thread watch the game apart from the time he got caught holding the ball?

We're all very quick to get stuck into Richmond supporters for their treatment of Aaron Fiora but it seems that we're no better with Raph.

Honestly, judge the guy on his merits. If he has a shocker, then fair enough. If he plays well, support the bloody guy. He was good on Saturday night. And many of our star players weren't. But there isn't a peep out of anybody about that.

 

[35Harvs]

Ok, that wasn't meant to be a 'lets bash Raph' session.
I thought he played quite well on the weekend (interesting stats there Dominique).

I just thought he seemed to play a bit further up the ground early in the match, (?) then was forced back late in the game (where some of his errors occurred?)

AND I would be pretty disappointed if we traded him, to see him flourish in a new role at a new club.

I definitely think he;s being played out of position. His confidence is shattered, and is not cool under pressure.

Rossy should move him to the forward line, i reckon he'd be better suited there.

I too, think we might be shattering his confidence

 

[latrell]

Heres my 2 sense worth:

I think the real dud is his brother x clarke, has had his go and shown he will never make it, raph is a terrible footballer too, but he has height which x doesnt and he has a good reach with an athletic body. Couldnt he be played in a paddy ryder type negating role where he is only required to get the ball 8 - 10 times a match?

 

[Kildonan]

Latrell - you show signs of not having any idea about Xavier Clarke's game, nor even that of Paddy Ryder as well.

The saints posters may be bagging our players, but this does not mean it is open slather. I don't want to encourage any negative opinions on our boys. I do tolerate it from our fans because this is our forum and all our opinions are welcome here, but I will not tolerate it from those outside. There are plenty of other forums for these digs at our players - use those please.

 

[sauce_head]

Honestly, judge the guy on his merits. If he has a shocker, then fair enough. If he plays well, support the bloody guy. He was good on Saturday night. And many of our star players weren't. But there isn't a peep out of anybody about that.

Our stars have earned the right to have an off match. Raph has not. End of story.

The few games I have seen this year he has been average. More importantly it is the people whose opportunity to develop he is taking away. He is simply not quick enought and gets run down too regularly. Perhaps that is lack of talk in the backline, but it is costly.

As for the clanger stats, backmen only need to kick forwards to targets that should be moving to the ball so have time to adjust. Forwards have to kick over their shoulders when under pressure towards the goals, clangers are going to be higher.

I loved the Fiora call, seems we have Richmonds offcuts as well. So glad he is out of the team at present, his work ethic display is horrid and I have NEVER seen a more over rated kick for goal on the run. What was it for the ressies? Zero from three?

 

[aussie86999]

Not surprised about Raph but i am surprised about X . I think hes a very skilled player that always shows good signs when back from injury and keeps improving each week but unfortunately just when hes coming back to his old self racking up plenty of possesions sadly he gets injured again.I believe he is up with our leading group of midfielders but constant injuries have ruined his career .

 

[makemytime]

Raph clarke impressed me in the Richmond game but he needs some more speed if he wants to cement his spot in the lineup. just think, with some speed like sam fisher, he could really dominate with his height

 

[mick13]

Man, those stats surprised me, guess he did turn over more than 25% of his possessions though. (5 clangers - 19 touches) It just seemed that whenever something stupid happened Raph was there. I mean, if he handballs to a guy in a bad position, it's counted as effective on the stats sheet, but he's sold the guy into major trouble and in the end turns it over..saw that once or twice with Raph.

Still, I wanna see the best from this guy and I dont wanna cringe everytime he gets the ball.

 

[ChrisFooty]

To be honest, he was not that bad against Richmond. He has played worse. Derserves to be picked against Collingwood.

 

[CHBench]

I think the Clarke name will forever be tainted HACK. No respect from the footy world (see main board) and at times no respect from the supporters. But it's only natural that the bad things are remembered rather than the good. So that's semi-understandable.

Give him a go up forward while Riewoldt's not there, guarantee you he will do better there than in the back line Gardiner in Riewoldt's role and Clarke in Gardiner's role.

 

[Frankencow]

I think the Clarke name will forever be tainted HACK. No respect from the footy world (see main board) and at times no respect from the supporters. But it's only natural that the bad things are remembered rather than the good. So that's semi-understandable.

Give him a go up forward while Riewoldt's not there, guarantee you he will do better there than in the back line Gardiner in Riewoldt's role and Clarke in Gardiner's role.

Much prefer Jarryd Allen up forward.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Some of us rate him highly and some of us dont rate him at all ( like me).
To settle it put him up for trade, if we get a good player in exchange the non raters can all admit how wrong they were. If we dont we were right.
Either way I will be happy.

 

[Persevering Saint]

All these rants about Raph Clarke make me sick - actually, they remind me of Nexus' constant bizarre tirades against Butterss and her eternal praise for Thomas.

Last weekend, Raph had:

- more disposals (19) than e.g. Hayes (15), Goddard (15), Birss (13), Montagna (11), Gram (11) or Armitage (10)

- a higher effective disposal percentage (73.68) than e.g. Hayes (73.33), Goddard (73.33), Milne (70.59), Montagna (63.64) or Gram (54.55)

- more contested possessions (5) than e.g. Hayes (4), Goddard (4), Gram (3), Birss (2) or Armitage (0)

- more / equal tackles (6) than / as e.g. Ball (6), Armitage (6), Birss (6), Montagna (3), Gram (3), Milne (2) or Goddard (2)

- more 1%ers (3) than e.g. Hayes (2), Montagna (2), Birss (0), Armitage (0) or Milne (0)

- less / equal clangers (5 - I admit that this is not a number to be proud of) than / as Milne (9), Schneider (8) and Goddard (5)

- less / equal frees against (3) than / as Milne (5) and Schneider (3)

Dude, excellent points - and worth me, and several others, eating humble pie .

I was SOO angry by some of his earlier performances, but if he's playing as well as you're indicating (Sainter, you too), then keep him in.

Let me be the person to let the cat out of the bag, and say what I think a lot of us are thinking.

A few weeks ago my brother and sister were in Level 2 of TD in their members seats, and heard tirade after tirade against both the Clarke boys - and much of those tirades were race-driven. There, I said it. How much of the bagging comes because of racist attacks on two aboriginal players, and how much of it REALLY is to do with their performances. Raph has played terrible footy at times, but rarely seems to get the credit he's due when he has a good one (Sainter's point). The attacks against Xavier made by people like latrine latrell (admittedly a hawks supporter, but there's been plenty of saints fans jump on that train) make no sense at all given his stellar performances this year... unless it's got nothing to do with his performances, but have to do with the color of his skin.

I don't expect any posters to ADMIT that's THEIR reasoning - I'd hope they would, but generally racists are too gutless to admit it when they're called on it. But for those of us judging Raph on his performances as a footballer, do you think this is what's going on for some other posters?

 

[Squizz]

I think we are beyond getting a good trade for Raph. At 23 and not being particularly tall/quick/skilled, we have to focus more on whether he is playing in the right position (I don't believe so) and whether we are giving him the right instructions (ditto).

It seems it is in his makeup to be creative, but the other players don't seem to block for him to run (should not get run down from behind if the other players know what he is doing).

From my memory of him pre-drafting, he was a forward and he was played forward with Casey. I know we are weak down back at the minute, but not everyone can be a Sam F - a forward who was turned into a back).

 

[Squizz]

Dude, excellent points - and worth me, and several others, eating humble pie .

I was SOO angry by some of his earlier performances, but if he's playing as well as you're indicating (Sainter, you too), then keep him in.

Let me be the person to let the cat out of the bag, and say what I think a lot of us are thinking.

A few weeks ago my brother and sister were in Level 2 of TD in their members seats, and heard tirade after tirade against both the Clarke boys - and much of those tirades were race-driven. There, I said it. How much of the bagging comes because of racist attacks on two aboriginal players, and how much of it REALLY is to do with their performances. Raph has played terrible footy at times, but rarely seems to get the credit he's due when he has a good one (Sainter's point). The attacks against Xavier made by people like latrine latrell (admittedly a hawks supporter, but there's been plenty of saints fans jump on that train) make no sense at all given his stellar performances this year... unless it's got nothing to do with his performances, but have to do with the color of his skin.

I don't expect any posters to ADMIT that's THEIR reasoning - I'd hope they would, but generally racists are too gutless to admit it when they're called on it. But for those of us judging Raph on his performances as a footballer, do you think this is what's going on for some other posters?

Unless X and Raph are not related, you can't pin that on me. Big fan of X and have been critical of Raph in the past. I did praise Raph for his game against the Dogs (didn't get much support on BigFooty!) but did not like his game against Richmond. To compare his clanger count against someone who kicked 7 goals is illogical.

 

[35Harvs]

Dude, excellent points - and worth me, and several others, eating humble pie .

I was SOO angry by some of his earlier performances, but if he's playing as well as you're indicating (Sainter, you too), then keep him in.

Let me be the person to let the cat out of the bag, and say what I think a lot of us are thinking.

A few weeks ago my brother and sister were in Level 2 of TD in their members seats, and heard tirade after tirade against both the Clarke boys - and much of those tirades were race-driven. There, I said it. How much of the bagging comes because of racist attacks on two aboriginal players, and how much of it REALLY is to do with their performances. Raph has played terrible footy at times, but rarely seems to get the credit he's due when he has a good one (Sainter's point). The attacks against Xavier made by people like latrine latrell (admittedly a hawks supporter, but there's been plenty of saints fans jump on that train) make no sense at all given his stellar performances this year... unless it's got nothing to do with his performances, but have to do with the color of his skin.

I don't expect any posters to ADMIT that's THEIR reasoning - I'd hope they would, but generally racists are too gutless to admit it when they're called on it. But for those of us judging Raph on his performances as a footballer, do you think this is what's going on for some other posters?

geez, I'd be really disapointed if ANYONE was thinking along those lines, actually I'd be disgusted.

I think we are beyond getting a good trade for Raph. At 23 and not being particularly tall/quick/skilled, we have to focus more on whether he is playing in the right position (I don't believe so) and whether we are giving him the right instructions (ditto).

It seems it is in his makeup to be creative, but the other players don't seem to block for him to run (should not get run down from behind if the other players know what he is doing).

From my memory of him pre-drafting, he was a forward and he was played forward with Casey. I know we are weak down back at the minute, but not everyone can be a Sam F - a forward who was turned into a back).

He does seem to have a creative side. I'd like to see him play more naturally - & if predraft he was a forward, and is now plugging holes in defence (he's not getting a straight run at it either, in & out of the side) then I'd like to see him play up the ground.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Dude, excellent points - and worth me, and several others, eating humble pie .

I was SOO angry by some of his earlier performances, but if he's playing as well as you're indicating (Sainter, you too), then keep him in.

Let me be the person to let the cat out of the bag, and say what I think a lot of us are thinking.

A few weeks ago my brother and sister were in Level 2 of TD in their members seats, and heard tirade after tirade against both the Clarke boys - and much of those tirades were race-driven. There, I said it. How much of the bagging comes because of racist attacks on two aboriginal players, and how much of it REALLY is to do with their performances. Raph has played terrible footy at times, but rarely seems to get the credit he's due when he has a good one (Sainter's point). The attacks against Xavier made by people like latrine latrell (admittedly a hawks supporter, but there's been plenty of saints fans jump on that train) make no sense at all given his stellar performances this year... unless it's got nothing to do with his performances, but have to do with the color of his skin.

I don't expect any posters to ADMIT that's THEIR reasoning - I'd hope they would, but generally racists are too gutless to admit it when they're called on it. But for those of us judging Raph on his performances as a footballer, do you think this is what's going on for some other posters?

Is he Aboriginal, I hadn't noticed, next thing you will say that I am picking on Fiora just because he is a woman.

But would I be vindicated if I said I would gladly swap Raph for Cyril Rioli.

Seriously I think you are being overly politically correct because I don't believe I have ever read anything on this board to suggest that racisim is the cause of Raphs critisism.

But would I be vindicated if I said I would gladly swap Cyril Rioli for Raph.

My problem with Raph is that he makes dreadful mistakes at critical times ( doesn't always show up in the Stats ), and will never lift to amazing heights to get us over the line ( example Milney ). He is slow to act. When people say he played well they mean compared to his previous play, not compared to Chris Judd ( or Cyril Rioli for that matter ).