AFL 2022: St Kilda’s Hunter Clark set to make trade call when he arrives back from overseas as suitors line up

Saint Hunter Clark’s playing future will soon be decided as opposition clubs circle and the trade period rapidly approaches. But why is St Kilda willing to give him up?

St Kilda’s Hunter Clark is weighing up his future ahead of this year’s trade period. Picture: Getty Images

Hunter Clark will make a decision on his playing future when he returns from overseas next week but the young Saint looks increasingly likely to be elsewhere in 2023.

North Melbourne continues to lead the race if the contracted Clark departs, but it’s understood Essendon also plans to meet with him when he is back in Melbourne.

He has one season to run on the deal he signed in March last year and a trade would need to be struck if he is to leave Moorabbin.

The 23-year-old, the No.7 pick in the 2017 draft, has looked a budding star at times but endured repeat collision injuries in the past two seasons that interrupted his progress.

Hunter Clark was a top-10 draft selection five years ago. Picture: Michael Klein

Clark sustained a severely broken jaw last year in a high-profile incident with Adelaide’s David Mackay, who was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing at the tribunal.

His start to this season was delayed when he hurt the AC joint on his right side in a pre-season clash with Bomber Dyson Heppell, before he suffered a compound fracture of his nose in a collision with teammate Dan Butler.

That run of horror luck has contributed to Clark weighing up whether he needs a fresh start.

There is also a belief the 68-gamer can be too comfortable at times and won’t realise his potential at St Kilda.

Hunter Clark has played 68 games for St Kilda since being the No.7 pick in the 2017 draft. Picture: Getty Images

At his best, Clark combines excellent composure with silky skills and has most often been used at half-back but was drafted as a midfielder.

Opposition clubs believe he is gettable for a selection in the 20s, with the future second-round pick the AFL awarded the Kangaroos, as part of its assistance package, potentially the key to unlocking a deal.

They don’t have a selection in that region this year but are open to ‘splitting’ the No.1 pick as they eye an active trade period, with Dockers Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker already nominating them.

The Bombers’ draft hand this year includes picks four, 22, 40 and 58.

Clark is close with North’s fellow ex-Dandenong Stingrays Luke Davies-Uniacke and Aiden Bonar but that is just one factor as he considers where he will be most challenged and play his best football.