Geelong hands debut to teen midfielder Jhye Clark

Geelong coach Chris Scott is full of admiration for teen midfielder Jhye Clark, who will make his debut against Richmond. Here is what caught the coach’s eye.

Jhye Clark in action at training this week. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Gun Geelong midfielder Jhye Clark has been labelled a “complete young player” by coach Chris Scott ahead of his debut against Richmond on Friday night.

The teen is likely to be handed the substitute vest for his first game, with onballer Brandan Parfitt set to cover for the minutes of Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring).

Jhye Clark’s toughness has impressed.

Forward Brad Close will also miss the Tiger clash due to suspension.

A Queenscliff junior, Clark was a prodigious ball winner from his earliest days in football and Scott said he had already made those traits clear at Geelong since arriving as the No.7 draft pick over the off-season.

“His junior footy showed he is a really competitive inside player, great agility, good ball user, really a complete young player,” Scott said.

“I suspect he will be one of those players that given the way he attacks the ball, no-one will make much comment about his physical stature, given the way he attacks the ball.

“Even what we have seen at VFL level around the bigger bodies, he has been able to play in a similar manner to what we saw in his junior career.”

Scott said he thought Clark would take longer in the season to earn a debut but the Cats “wouldn’t play him unless we thought he could spend big minutes as an inside midfielder”.

Brandan Parfitt will return for Geelong. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Parfitt has been forced to bide his time in the VFL in recent weeks after being tipped out of the midfield rotation, but Scott said “hopefully” he would start cementing a spot on Friday night.

“I hold him in really high regard, he has played a lot of quality AFL footy,” Scott said.

While the Cats are set to nurse Dangerfield through a detailed rehabilitation on his hamstring, Scott said the skipper could have pushed to face the Tigers.

“My sense is that he would be touch-and-go this week and could play next week but he definitely won’t play this week and I doubt he will play next week,” the coach said.

Scott said forward Tyson Stengle (broken arm) was likely to play next week against Fremantle, while each of Dangerfield, Jack Bowes (calf), Sam De Koning (facial surgery), Jack Henry (foot), Gary Rohan (hamstring) and Cam Guthrie (toe) are on track to return in the next four games before the bye.

Ruck Rhys Stanley (eye socket) could be facing a longer stint out.

Originally published as Geelong hands debut to teen midfielder Jhye Clark