MPFNL: Sorrento recruits former Essendon midfielder Dylan Clarke

Sorrento has picked up a former Essendon midfielder in one of local footy’s biggest off-season moves yet.

Dylan Clarke celebrates a goal for Essendon in 2021. Pic: Michael Klein

Sorrento will boast one of the strongest midfields in MPFNL Division 1 next season after securing ex-AFL Bomber Dylan Clarke.

The 25-year-old will link up with former Vermont and Montmorency ruckman Liam Buxton at Sorrento.

“He’s a goal kicking mid, he’s six one, he’s a quality ball user, he’s super fit, strong, quick,” Sorrento coach Leigh Poholke said of Clarke on Thursday.

“We just thought we needed a little bit more depth in there and he adds some goal kicking power too, so he’s a good addition.”

Clarke’s parents live in Sorrento, making his move to the southern peninsula club convenient.

Clarke was at Port Melbourne in the VFL this year after playing with Woodville-West Torrens in 2022.

Dylan Clarke gets busy for the Bombers. Pic: Michael Klein

The left-footer made 24 AFL appearances for the Dons from 2017 to 2021 and in between was a dominant VFL midfielder.

His arrival gives Sorrento more options in the midfield.

“It just gives us a few different looks now with what we’re able to go through,” Poholke said.

“You look at what Dromana did this year, they had different looks - big, small, strong, fast.

“We’re getting to that point now where we will have a ruckman and then we’ve got Myles (Poholke), Chad (Harris), Shannon (Gladman), James Hallahan, Liam McKenna, Jack Beverley, Zach Byrnes, Marcus Gardner, so we’ve now got a good group of players who can play through there throughout the whole game.

“His parents live in Sorrento which works perfectly so he can come down here and stay there

“It will be a good fit for them and a great fit for us.”