I'm not there yet, says Clarke

[valkorum]

http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2014-06-20/im-not-there-yet-says-clarke

Zac Clarke believes he

[Ricochet]

just fixing the copy and paste issue



Zac Clarke believes he's still got a way to go to be considered among the AFL's elite ruckman.

His senior coach Ross Lyon has recently suggested the 24-year-old has the capacity to become a top-level player.

But Clarke is well aware of what's required to achieve that status.

"I'm not there yet," he said.

"I've got a fair bit of work to do.

"But that's why we play, we strive to be the best we can be - elite players at an elite club, that's the aim."

Clarke said the main aspect of his game that separated him from being elite was consistency.

"Just to give consistent performances week in, week out," he added.

"I'm still building my body and I've still got a bit of strength to catch up on, as well."

Clarke said he had benefitted tremendously from playing alongside champion ruckman Aaron Sandilands. But he acknowledged he is a different type of ruckman to his Freo teammate.

A man he has modelled parts of his game on has been West Coast Eagles great Dean Cox.

"I've watched him pretty closely as a mobile ruckman that can compete well in the air, and on ground level he's just as good," Clarke said.

Many AFL experts have noted marked improvement in Clarke's game in 2014.

But the 203cm ruckman said he had simply continued on from a strong 2013 campaign.

"I think I've backed up quite well from last year," Clarke said.

"I'm obviously playing a lot more forward this year than in the ruck, with 'Spider' (Sandilands) fit and healthy

"It's also the continuity of playing (up forward) with 'Pav' (Matthew Pavlich) and with the other forwards, and just getting that chemistry right."

The area of his game that Clarke feels has developed the most in the past two seasons has been his aerial skills.

"I think my marking over the past two years has really been a strength," he said.

"I've been backing myself and going for my marks.

"And also just reading the forward play. So, when the ball is coming towards you, just being able to read where the space is."

[valkorum]

Stupid "copy and paste not working when there is a - in the url"