New Cat ready for impact

Albany-raised footballer Jordan Clark thought he was headed to Greater Western Sydney when pick 14 came up in last Thursday’s AFL national draft, only for Geelong to pounce on the dashing half-back with the following selection.

Clark was the only Great Southern footballer taken in this year’s national and rookie drafts, and in the process became Albany’s first top 20 draft pick since Michael Gardiner went at no.1 back in 1996.

The Railways product was the sole WA player taken in the first round on Thursday at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, snared by the Cats with pick 15 after GWS opted for South Australian midfielder Jackson Hatley with their second selection.

After a stellar 2018 that included winning All-Australian honours at the under-18 national championships and averaging 15 disposals in five league games with Claremont in the WAFL, Clark’s decision to focus on football over a promising cricket career paid off when his name was read out.

“I was nervous on the night, not so much being in the room but when it got to that last GWS pick (no.14),” Clark said.

“I started to get pretty nervous then because I knew I was thereabouts.

“I had no idea Geelong were really that interested, I hadn’t heard from them for a while but after flying over and getting off the plane I had five missed calls and a text from them.”

Clark spent five years living in Albany before moving to Perth to further his sport and continued his schooling at Guildford Grammar.

The rebound defender will fly back to Melbourne tomorrow ready to begin his new chapter with the Cats and said he can’t wait to meet his new teammates and get to work ahead of 2019.

“I played some good footy this year but really the hard work begins now,” the 18-year-old said.

“Geelong have some great players, obviously the big three are there and there is no one better to learn off.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, once I’m at the club and around those guys I think I’ll really wake up to it then.”

His parents Natalie and Russell were alongside him at Thursday night’s function and Cats legend Corey Enright presented the latest Great Southern draftee with a jumper on stage after his selection.