AFLW #33 - Amber Clarke

Few players came into the 2022 NAB League Girls season with higher wraps, yet Dandenong Stingrays’ Amber Clarke took it all in her stride and was able to come out as one of the best players across the league, and the country. She started off with a massive five-goal haul against Geelong Falcons in Round 1, and though she only really had one more major bag, she was still able to influence games on the regular.

That influence was reiterated by Clarke winning the NAB League Girls Best and Fairest, and polling in all seven games she completed - six of those best on grounds - with only her injury against Eastern Ranges in the first term not earning her a vote. She carried that form into the national carnival for Vic Country, and was a potent forward and looking lively around goals. Though not quite as consistent quarter-by- quarter, she did spend the majority of the time inside 50, with only some rotations onball.

Clarke is a player who has the goal sense and X-factor to impact a game in a big way, and though in Round 1 she was kicking goals from everywhere, became a little less reliable in front of the big sticks as the season progressed. Her trademark snap around the body often misfired when she could have composed herself for an extra step, but that learning will continue to come, especially at the elite level. She could also continue to develop further through the midfield, having an outstanding game there for the Stingrays in the NAB League Girls Grand Final, but is still able to impact further with more time.

Clarke is one of those players who will attract interest from the majority, if not all of the Victorian clubs, and will likely land in the Top 10. She has the excitement factor that brings fans to the footy, and as she will likely start as a full-time forward, could kick some amazing goals early in her career.

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Her family make her look short and our players make her look tall. Interesting.

Likes her signs on debut. Has some seriously acceleration. Once she adjusts to the level, she’ll do some serious damage.

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Hasn’t got a left foot…those two right foot kicks that could go nowhere but OOTF in front of the stands.

Amber Clarke is one of the two AFLW Rising Stars for Round 6

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Essendon forward Amber Clarke has earned a round six AFLW Rising Star Nomination after a game-breaking display in the Bombers’ 10-point comeback win over Geelong.

Clarke accumulated 16 disposals and booted two crucial goals to help get the Bombers over the line and improve to a 4-2 record this season.

The 18-year-old got the Bombers on the board with a freakish snap from the right forward pocket on the verge of half-time, providing a needed spark after conceding the first two goals

Clarke then sealed the result halfway through the final term, finding herself on the end of a handball chain that saw the Bombers break away to a two-goal lead.

Taken with the Bombers’ first-ever AFLW draft selection at pick No.4 in the 2022 National Draft, Clarke is growing into an important player among the club’s young core.

Debuting as a 17-year-old, Clarke appeared in every game of the club’s inaugural season as the Bombers found their feet in the competition.

After playing the majority of her first season on the wing, Clarke is developing her game as a deeper forward option in 2023, utilising her elite foot skills as a scoring threat.

Essendon Senior Coach Natalie Wood praised Clarke’s work ethic, resilience and willingness to adapt to different roles.

“Amber’s performance on Sunday was off the back of working diligently through a very interrupted pre-season and season thus far," Wood said.

"Through a challenging period in her second season, Amber has worked closely with our medical team to get her body right, and at the same time has chipped away at her craft and understanding of our game plan.

“Amber is an explosive footballer with great game awareness and on the weekend it was terrific to see all her hard work come to fruition.

“Amber’s offence and defence was really balanced yesterday, and she stood up in some crucial moments with both goals and momentum changing tackles. We are excited to see Amber continue to develop in the second half of the season.”

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On the EFC Facebook page there is a short media with Bonnie breaking the rising star news to Amber.

Amber is in her Macca’s uniform as she had just got home from work. Until the girls are fully professional and don’t have to have other jobs, the girls game will be stuck in a twilight zone.

Can you imagine any male player working at Macca’s?

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Reminiscent of James Hird… ?

Nah. That would be Barba, who for some reason insists on the bulk of her kicks being a right-foot banana, even when she’s not wrong-sided.

It’s odd as her regulation drop punts are fine.

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