‘Do the work’: Geelong address star’s ugly exit

Geelong has responded to rumblings surrounding the club’s trade period strategy and the stage that was set for Jordan Clark before his exit.

Jordan Clark got his wish. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

New Cats chief executive Steve Hocking has addressed the departure of speedster Jordan Clark in a saga that dominated headlines during the AFL Trade Period.

Hocking sent a message on Tuesday that young players at the club have to do the work to earn selection in the senior team — rather than be handed jumpers with a view to their future development.

It comes after rumblings that have continued to surround the club in recent months with suggestions the club has made it too difficult for young players to break into the team’s best 22.

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Reports earlier this month claimed Clark wanted a fresh start back home Fremantle with an expectation of playing more senior games in 2022.

He had played just 11 games in 2021.

The Cats have the oldest list in the AFL and broke records this year for fielding the oldest team in the history of the national league.

When asked about Clark’s exit during an interview with 3AW’s Sportsday on Monday night, Hocking responded: “For our younger players, you have to do the work.

Former Geelong Cat Jordan Clark has joined the Fremantle Dockers in the 2021 trade period. Pictured is Jordan at Cockburn ARC. Picture - Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian.

Jordan Clark of the Cats in action during the 2021 season. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“If you do get an opportunity, you need to grab it with both hands and push past some of those experienced players.

“I think Melbourne have proven that, and are a great example of that.

“That’s the comment I would make around Jordan Clark.”

The 20-year-old was traded along with a fourth round pick to the Dockers while the Cats received pick 22 and a future third rounder in a deal salvaged late in the trade period.

The drawn out drama reached boiling point earlier when it was reported Clark let the Cats know about his frustrations over the stalemate in a heated phone conversation.

He was reported to have told Cats recruitment boss Stephen Wells “I’m not coming back”.

Wells later denied the reported heated conversation and claimed there was nothing tense about it.

Clark also said after joining the Dockers that there was no bad blood between him and the club.

Clark last year also attempted to force a trade through, but was held to his contract.

Clark struggled to break into the Cats’ side in 2021, but was a first round draft pick in 2018.

The Cats landed former Hawthorn veteran Jonathan Ceglar, 30, in their other biggest move of the trade frenzy.

But Hocking says he is confident the club has the right balance in promoting young talent without

“I’m huge on young talent,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s on-field or off-field in commercial roles, financial roles, community roles… you want to unearth young talent.

“I’ve enjoyed the last part of my administration career being able to do that, because I was given an opportunity when I was younger, both on-field and off-field.”

Originally published as ‘Do the work’: Geelong address star’s ugly exit