How Clark kept Dockers dangerous even when chips were down

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If Jordan Clark didn’t take to the field yesterday, the Dockers wouldn’t have won.

In a low-scoring and tight affair all day, Clark was head and shoulders Fremantle’s best player, if not the contest’s.

Jordan Clark was easily star of the show for Fremantle on Sunday.

When the Dockers midfield was getting slaughtered, Clark was a constant holding up the defence.

Intercept marking, tackling, smothering, rebounding, providing pressure and physicality. When there was chaos, Clark was calm.

Clark finished the game with 31 touches, 10 marks, five rebound 50s and a crucial goal. He’s the perfect half-backman.

He defends first, then transitions into attack.

He’s tough, quick, creative, feisty and provides endless spark.

His capacity to compete aerially comes from his ability to read the ball faster than others.

When Jack Higgins goaled early in the last term, Fremantle trailed by 14 points, before piling on five goals to run out two-goal winners.

If not for Clark, the margin facing the Dockers would have been too large. Instead of their finals hopes taking a hit, they’re now top four contenders, sitting only percentage behind the third-placed Adelaide.

Clark will no doubt have many highlights when the club reviews their latest victory. And the praise is set to come externally too.

Part of last year’s All Australian squad of 40, this year Clark should be duly rewarded by selectors, and given a maiden blazer.

West Coast fans find future hope in Collingwood loss

It didn’t result in four points, but Saturday night’s showing against premiership favourites Collingwood gave West Coast fans hope for the future.

Without Oscar Allen, Jeremy McGovern, Jake Waterman and Elliot Yeo, and at opposite ends of the ladder, this presented as a game which could have been ugly.

And although it’s been another lean year in terms of wins, the Eagles youth continues to exhibit the foundations of a resurgence under Andrew McQualter.

Mid-season recruit Tom McCarthy showed he’s more than just a one-game wonder. The 24-year-old displayed poise and certainly doesn’t look out of place.

Harry Edwards’ intercept marking prowess is tracking nicely.

Brady Hough is fast becoming a very reliable player. The 22 year-old’s using his added bulk to good use in his new midfield role, complementing his speed and athleticism, finishing with 100 per cent disposal efficiency from his 27 touches.

Jobe Shanahan made you sit up and take notice. The debutant displayed a great set of hands and class, calmly slotting his first goal in the big time and is the immediate beneficiary of Oscar Allen’s season ending surgery.

As a whole, the dash-and-dash associated with their ball movement is beginning to click more often.

It’s evident West Coast’s skills and decision-making under pressure is still a work in progress.

But there’s signs the wheel is turning, and the recent horror years may just be behind them.

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