Geelong Falcons captain Jhye Clark firms as a top five prospect in AFL draft

A Joel Selwood clone is firming as a top-five pick after a fantastic National Championships campaign, but he is not done yet.

A handful of Geelong Falcons boys have been dominating for Vic Country in the under-18 national championships. Pictured from left : Olly Northam , Ted Clohesy , Jhye Clark , Oscar Murdoch and Will Parkinson . Picture: Mark Wilson

TOP-five draft prospect Jhye Clark believes he is capable of adding another string to his bow after a host of eye-catching performances for Vic Country in the national championships.

Entering 2022 as one of the draft class’ best contested ball winners, Clark said he had worked hard on improving his outside game, a move that paid immediate dividends while representing the Big V.

Clark played alongside Geelong Falcons teammates Ted Clohesy, Olivier Northam, Oscar Murdoch and Will Parkhouse for Victoria, and was constantly one of the team’s best players in the championships.

Clark played alongside Geelong Falcons teammates Ted Clohesy, Oliver Northam, Oscar Murdoch and Will Parkhouse for Victoria, and was constantly one of the team’s best players in the championships. Picture: Dylan Burns

“I’m still adding strings to my bow this year, coming into this year I felt my contested side of things was pretty good,” Clark said.

“This year has been about improving the uncontested stuff and getting better there, I feel like my skills have definitely improved throughout the season.”

Likened to Cats champion Joel Selwood, Clark was named the captain of the Vic Country side that defeated Western Australia, South Australia and the Allies.

Likened to Cats champion Joel Selwood, Clark was named the captain of the Vic Country side that defeated Western Australia, South Australia and the Allies. Picture: Kelly Barnes

He said he was excited to get the experience to play alongside some of Australia’s best young footballing talents.

“It was a really good experience, to be able to lead the group was really exciting and I was really proud to be the captain,” he said.

“It was great to play with some of the best players in Australia, as well as test myself against some of the best.

“This season is all about learning, I’m trying to soak it all in and enjoy the experiences.”

Vic Country will face the only other undefeated team left, Vic Metro, in a September showcase that is set to be the ‘grand final’ of the championships.

Clark said playing alongside his Geelong mates helped the transition to the representative football.

Clark said playing alongside his Geelong mates helped the transition to the representative football. Picture: Albert Perez

“It was great to play with those guys, we’ve always had that connection so to be able to continue that at the next level made it a bit easier,” he said.

“There was a big step up playing for Vic Country, the speed of the game was a lot faster that what it is in the NAB League.

“We haven’t spent too much time thinking about that last game, we’re moving back to the NAB League footy but it’s exciting to have that grand final sort of game later in the year to look forward to.”

Originally published as Geelong Falcons captain Jhye Clark firms as a top five prospect in AFL draft