Jhye Clark confirms excitement about potential Geelong Cats pick

Falcons captain Jhye Clark has revealed his preferred landing spot at the AFL draft in November.

Jhye Clark will captain Vic Country in the National Championships grand final against Vic Metro. Picture: Alan Barber

TOP draft hopeful Jhye Clark has revealed he’s is torn at the prospect of playing for Geelong or Collingwood as he edges closer to his AFL dream.

Clark, a Queenscliff product and Geelong Falcons midfielder, is expected to be taken early in next month’s NAB AFL Draft, with a host of clubs circling.

A Geelong local and a Pies fan, Clark admitted he has watched the trade period closely as the Cats and Collingwood try to move into the top 10 of the draft.

Aaron Cadman celebrates a goal with Jhye Clark during the 2022 U18 Championships match between Vic Metro and Vic Country at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Dylan Burns

Both clubs are haggling over the price of former first-rounder Ollie Henry, who has requested a trade to Geelong to play alongside brother Jack.

The Cats are expected to secure pick 7 from Gold Coast as part of the Jack Bowes trade, with that selection to potentially be used to nab Clark.

The Magpies are also eager to improve their draft hand and move inside the top 10.

“It would be really exciting to end up at either Geelong or Collingwood,” Clark said. “Obviously being a local player here in Geelong, I have that connection with the fan base and there is a pretty cool feeling seeing Geelong guys playing for the Cats.

Jhye Clark will captain Vic Country in the National Championships grand final against Vic Metro. Picture: Alan Barber

“Playing for the Pies would also be awesome, they’re the club I’ve supported all my life and I love watching them play.

“Honestly though, I just want to be drafted anywhere, I’d love the chance to hear my voice get called out to go anywhere, I just want to realise that dream of being an AFL player.”

Despite Collingwood asking for pick 7 in trade negotiations for Henry, Geelong has committed to taking that selection to the draft, with it set to be the Cats’ earliest since drafting Joel Selwood.

Ironically, Clark has been compared to Selwood throughout his draft year, captaining both Geelong Falcons and Vic Country teams, and has been lauded for his leadership qualities.

Geelong’s selection at pick 7 will eventually become pick 8 after Brisbane match a bid on generational father-son talent Will Ashcroft, but Clark is likely to still be available.

Clark spent the weekend testing at the national combine, as well as meeting with club officials ahead of the draft in November.

He said he had not had any of the tough questions that usually get asked of players.

“There hasn’t been any curly sort of questions, they’ve all been pretty normal,” he said.

“Teams know what I bring on the field, so it’s more been on my character, the sort of teammate I want to be at a club and how I want to lead.

“I’m sure some of the other boys will have more interesting questions out of the day.”

Originally published as Jhye Clark confirms excitement about potential Geelong Cats pick