Australian Football

Tom Clarke was a fine wingman whose only significant weakness was a slight lack of leg speed, a deficiency he helped overcome with excellent anticipation and smooth ball handling. He was a key member of only moderately talented Essendon sides in 103 games between 1927 and 1934, winning the club's best and fairest award in 1931. He was twice selected in VFL representative sides.

Between 1935 and 1940 Clarke played 105 games in the VFA with Brunswick. He was amember of the Magpies' winning 1938 Grand Final team against Brighton. After his playing career was over, Tom Clarke spent thirty years as an Essendon committee member. His sons Ron, an Olympic athlete, and Essendon footballer Jack achieved even greater sporting notoriety than their father.

Author - John Devaney