AFL 2019: Geelong’s top draft pick Jordan Clark in line to debut in Round 1

Geelong’s top draft pick Jordan Clark is one of the most popular defensive rookie selections in Supercoach this year. The Cats have given an indication of how soon he’s likely to debut.

Jordan Clark rises above a pack to mark for Geelong. Picture: Michael Klein.

Geelong’s top draft pick Jordan Clark has been all but assured of a Round 1 debut after two eye-catching performances in the JLT Series.

Clark had 21 disposals and five marks in his first outing for the Cats against reigning premier West Coast and further pressed his case with 11 possessions and six marks against Essendon.

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While he stopped short of declaring the No. 15 pick a certain starter for Geelong’s clash with Collingwood, Cats coach Chris Scott was full of praise for Clark’s impact during his first pre-season with the club.

“He has got to the point where he would be hard to push out,” Scott said.

“I think it has got to that stage.”

Jordan Clark dashes out of defence for Geelong against Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein

Scott said he wasn’t “in business of guaranteeing an 18-year-old a Round 1 start” but added he would “prefer to be in Jordan’s position than someone who didn’t play those first two rounds”.

“We have played a pretty stable team for those two rounds so it would be an unusual move for us and it would have to be a really good reason for us to bring players in from outside the squads for those two rounds,” he said on SEN.

A gifted dual-sport athlete who once took a hat-trick playing for Australia’s under-16 cricket team, Clark’s ability to adapt to the rigours of his first AFL pre-season drew plaudits from the Cats coach.

“Especially through the summer months, he never really has had a pre-season because he was so focused on his cricket career,” he said.

“I say it’s rare, but it seems to be happening more and more with our talented young athletes. He had a genuine chance to choose an elite path in both sports.

“Fortunately for us he chose footy.

Jordan Clark gets a kick away under pressure in his first JLT Series game against West Coast. Picture: Richard Wainwright.

“In my estimation, that suggested that because he hadn’t had a pre-season he might have had a bit to learn in terms of footy and a bit of work to do in terms of his physical conditioning.

“Every time we have raised the stakes with him he has been able to step up. It’s looking like it was a really good pick.”

Scott conceded Geelong had struggled to nail its limited first-round picks in his time at the club, but was confident Clark would buck the trend.

“That may sound as if we are putting a bit of pressure on Jordan, but I think he’s more than up to the task,” he said.