Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Noel Clarke

Known as
Noel Clarke

Born
26 December 1930

Died
7 August 2022 (aged 91)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 20y 158d
Last game: 24y 265d

Height and weight
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 81 kg

Senior clubs
North Launceston; Melbourne; North Hobart; New Norfolk

Jumper numbers
Melbourne: 26

Recruited from
North Launceston (1951); Melbourne (1956); North Hobart (1958)

Noel Clarke

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
North LauncestonNTFA1949-1950
MelbourneV/AFL1951-1955771552.0144%10.334.675
North HobartTANFL1956-1957
New NorfolkTANFL1958-1961
NTFA1949-1950
V/AFL1951-1955771552.0144%10.334.675
TANFL1956-1961
Total1949-1961771552.01

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 6,117th player to appear, 3,117th most games played, 618th most goals kickedMelbourne: 718th player to appear, 225th most games played, 42nd most goals kicked

Without doubt one of the finest ever Tasmanian forwards, Noel Clarke gave distinguished service to four clubs, as well as to Tasmania in interstate matches. He commenced his senior career with North Launceston in 1949 and played in two consecutive NTFA premiership wins as well the 1950 state flag victory over Hobart. After a somewhat acrimonious clearance wrangle, Clarke was released to play with Melbourne in the VFL in 1951, and he went on to play 77 games and boot 155 goals for the Demons over the ensuing five seasons. He was a member of Melbourne's 1955 premiership team, booting 3 of the side's 8 goals in the Grand Final defeat of Collingwood. Returning to Tasmania in 1956, Clarke joined North Hobart, and promptly topped the TANFL's goal kicking list with 81 goals for the year. He also represented his state with distinction at the Perth carnival, with his 15 goals for the series being bettered only by Jock Spencer of the VFL, who amassed 17.

The final phase of Clarke's career was spent as playing coach of New Norfolk between 1958 and 1961. A serious knee injury sustained early in his debut season limited his appearances, but in 1961 he managed to top the TANFL's goalkicking list, for the second time, with 66 goals.

Noel Clarke was selected at full forward in North Launceston's official 'Best Team 1945-1999' at centre half forward in New Norfolk's official 'Best Team 1947-2001' and in North Hobart's unplaced official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy's Tasmanian Football Companion

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.