It’s official: St Mary’s star Raphael Clarke to play CAFL finals if Pioneer Eagles make it, after being named in Covid-affected round

It’s official – Saints star Raph Clarke will play in this year’s CAFL finals if Pioneer makes it, after there was debate over his eligibility on social media.

Saints star Raph Clarke has plenty of pride in the Pioneer Eagles jumper. And in massive news for the club, he will be eligible to play for them in the 2021 CAFL finals series if they beat South Alice Springs on Saturday. Picture: Che Chorley

IT’S official – St Mary’s star Raph Clarke is set to play in the CAFL finals.

The most recent Chaney Medal winner will take the field for Pioneer against South Alice Springs at Albrecht Oval in round 15 CAFL action this Saturday.

It will only be his second home-and-away game of the regular season.

The rules stipulate you have to play three games to qualify for finals.

But on Wednesday an AFLNT spokesperson confirmed he will be eligible to play finals – pending on whether Pioneer makes it – because Clarke was named to play for the Eagles earlier this year.

That was back in June during a Covid-impacted round, which did not go ahead on its scheduled weekend.

All CAFL matches were suspended for two weeks before resuming on June 19.

It will give Pioneer players a massive boost, with the team in fourth spot, and four competition points ahead of Souths heading into this weekend’s final round.

Clarke loved representing the proud Red Centre club for the first time last Saturday, scoring two goals.

Saints star Raph Clarke will be eligible to play in the 2021 CAFL finals series if his Pioneer team beats South Alice Springs on Saturday. Picture: Che Chorley

“It was my first run with the boys and I’m glad it was a successful day for the club,” the inspirational St Mary’s veteran said on Monday. “Archie (Donohoe) was impressive, and so were Luke Foster and Thomas Swan on the wings.

“There’s a family history with Pioneer – my (late) old man Xavier Sr played for this club when he worked around the Territory as a surveyor.

“He won a premiership with them in 1976.”

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Meanwhile, Clarke has been delighted with the number of players fronting up at Saints pre-season training sessions.

“It’s always hard with other sports going on in Darwin at this time of year,” he said.

“But we’ve had a good core group of players already.

“We’ve got most of our interstate players who want to come up and play for us again.

“That’s how you build premiership-winning teams.”

Clarke also revealed he will step down from the co-captaincy role with Shannon Rioli in the 2021-22 NTFL season.

“I want to help one of our younger fellas step up, and I think Kieren Parnell is ready to take on my role,” he said.