‘Red wine’s everywhere’: Rookie’s family go nuts at debut double

Tigers debutant Judson Clarke has had a stunning start to his AFL career after brilliant first quarter double put him in rare company.

Judson Clarke has had a great start to his career. Photo: Getty Images

The Richmond Tigers have unearthed another star as 18-year-old wunderkind Judson Clarke booted two goals with his first two kicks in the AFL in the side’s 11.11 (77) to 10.5 (65) win over Port Adelaide.

The left-footed small forward was nabbed with pick 30 of the 2021 AFL Draft and did not have to wait long to land his first AFL major.

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The Tigers had gone down by two goals early before fighting back, kicking six straight, including two for Clarke.

With 10 minutes left in the first term, Clarke was taken high and had his first set shot from about 40 out, sending his family into hysterics.

“You can’t help but smile and be excited,” Hamish McLachlan said in commentary.

“I feel really good for him. Got the handball away, I was pleased he did, then suddenly 15 seconds later, his first goal in AFL football. Brilliant stuff.”

Clarke had reportedly received 30 tickets for his debut and his family were going nuts.

Five minutes later, Dustin Martin put in a perfectly weighted kick as the youngster set up — and kicked — his second.

Hell of a start to Judson Clarke’s career. Photo by Michael Klein

His family again went up, and it appears as though his nan may have sprayed the area in wine as she celebrated the score.

“Red wine’s gone everywhere – everyone is excited,” McLachlan said. “Kicked two goals, got Dustin Martin’s arm around him … life’s OK!”

While he was no Clen Denning, who had six goals with his first six kicks back in 1935, it was a dream debut for the teenager.

He joined a select group of 41 players who have kicked multiple goals with their first kicks and the first since Sam Weideman in 2016.

At quarter time, Hawks legend Jason Dunstall

“This young man is now two for two and there’s something about left footers, they just look like they’re really good kicks,” he said. “He had a hand pass and a couple of kicks for a couple of goals and there’s every reason to be excited.

Clarke’s dad Jarrod spoke on the ABC of the nerves as the rookie lines up the shot and said: “He’s a pretty good kick, so I knew he was going to kick it.”

Fans were happy for the teenager to get his career off to the perfect start.

Judson Clarke breaks the record for the most goals in an AFL game ever kicked by someone with the first name Judson.

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) June 9, 2022

"How easy is footy?!"

- Judson Clarke, probably.#AFLTigersPower

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshMedia) June 9, 2022

First touch first smother first kick first goal club 👊 Judson Clarke lively! #AFLTigersPower#gotiges

— Al Paton (@al_superfooty) June 9, 2022

But while the indication was that the Tigers were kicking away with the game with a 26-point lead in the second quarter, Port fought back.

After a shocking start to the season Port are 12th and two wins outside the top eight, while Richmond can move back into the top eight with a win.

At three-quarter time, the Tigers led 8.5 (53) to 8.4 (52) but kicked away to claim the 12 point win.

Originally published as ‘Red wine’s everywhere’: Rookie’s family go nuts at debut double