Dual Crows AFLW premiership coach Matthew Clarke replaces Darren Reeves as Glenelg coach

Dual premiership coach Matthew Clarke is swapping the AFLW for the SANFL.

Matthew Clarke is swapping the AFLW for the SANFL.

Seven weeks after the shock departure of dual premiership mentor Darren Reeves, Glenelg has finally landed its new senior men’s coach, signing Clarke – a dual Adelaide AFLW premiership coach – on a three-year deal.

The 52-year-old finished up with the Crows following last Saturday’s 11-point loss to Melbourne in the semi-finals.

He had announced prior to the season that this would be his last at Adelaide after an eight-season stint as AFLW coach and other coaching roles with the Crows’ men’s program.

“Matthew brings outstanding football knowledge and leadership, developed through a long and respected career in the AFL both as a player and as a coach, and more recently through coaching in the AFLW,’’ Glenelg president David Whelan said.

“We are thrilled to welcome someone of his calibre who understands and values the strong culture that defines our club.

New Glenelg coach Matthew Clarke at the Bay. Picture: Gordon Anderson/Glenelg FC

“Just as important is Matthew’s alignment with what makes Glenelg unique, our traditions, passionate people and genuine commitment to success both on and off the field.

“We believe he will be an outstanding fit for our football club as we look to the future.”

Clarke’s signing is a coup for Glenelg after it unexpectedly lost the highly-regarded Reeves to Port Adelaide (AFL) just a week after he had led the club to a third successive SANFL grand final, losing to Sturt.

Reeves, who had guided the Tigers to back-to-back flags in his first two seasons in charge in 2023-24, had two weeks earlier added two years to his contract, tying him to the club until the end of 2028.

But Port – under new senior coach Josh Carr – managed to lure him to Alberton as an assistant coach, leaving Glenelg scrambling for a replacement.

After weeks of negotiations, Clarke finally committed to the club in a coaching recruiting coup for the club.

He will take charge of a team which has featured in five of the past seven grand finals, winning premierships in 2019 and 2023-24.

Matthew Clarke addresses the Crows’ AFLW side for the last time during last Saturday’s semi-final loss to Melbourne. Picture: Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Matthew Clarke holds the 2022 AFLW premiership cup after the Crows beat Melbourne in the grand final. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, I reckon,’’ Clarke said of coaching the Tigers, where he played two league games in 2006, becoming the 956th player to represent the club at league level.

“Glenelg is obviously a club that has a really rich history and has enjoyed a period of really good success over the past couple of years. I’m looking forward to playing a role within that.”

Clarke has an outstanding CV.

A former standout, high-leaping ruckman, he was drafted to the AFL by Richmond in 1990 before being delisted without playing an AFL game and being selected by Brisbane in the 1992 pre-season draft.

He played 130 games for Brisbane from 1993-99 before being traded to Adelaide, where he played 118 matches from 2000-06.

Clarke finished his AFL career at St Kilda, playing 10 games in 2007 before embarking on a coaching career.

While he was born in New South Wales, Clarke grew up in Mount Gambier – a key part of Glenelg’s south-east country recruiting zone.

New Glenelg coach Matthew Clarke points to his name on the Glenelg Wall of Fame. Picture: Gordon Anderson/Glenelg FC

He played football for West Gambier in the Western Border Football League before being drafted by Richmond.

Clarke’s family ties in the area include being a second cousin to standout Essendon youngster Angus Clarke, who hails from Tantanoola.

Angus was drafted to the AFL by the Bombers from Glenelg at pick 39 at the 2024 national draft.

As Crows AFLW coach, he posted a strong 65-27 win-loss record, winning flags in 2019 and 2022 and losing the 2021 grand final.

Glenelg captain and triple premiership player Liam McBean said the playing group was “incredibly excited’’ by Clarke’s appointment.

“It’s a great sign for our club to be able to attract somebody of Matt’s calibre and we can’t wait to begin the climb of chasing another premiership in 2026,’’ he said.

Originally published as Dual Crows AFLW premiership coach Matthew Clarke replaces Darren Reeves as Glenelg coach