Raph Clarke

[skeptic]

Our greatest failure with Raph has been our inability to devlop the offensive part of his game

his best games have all been high possession, creative use, attacking games and his worst ones have been when he plays as a more defensive minded flanker.

As long time Clarke fan, I tend to agree with JB - I think Watters may be a good coach for him

Am eagerly looking forward to seeing how he goes this season

[defacto]

i agree. he just looked more comfortable out there. looked like he was a class above alot on the field and could have a big impact on the game. i think he's one of those players who are more comfortable in attack and taking the game on, instead of having to obsess about structure and defence.

they seem to push him fwd in bursts, instead of keeping him in the back 50.

[Old Mate]

Raph definitely looked better running into space to receive the ball instead of guarding space in the back half like a statue.

[Junction Oval]

It was the right call to give Raph some game time, ahead of the Crows. It was never going to be a tough match and Raph had the opportunity to show his best.

Agree with others that he may be better suited under Watters and that's good for the team. Will they give Fisher the extra break and play Raph there? - he has put on some weight/muscle.

[gringo]

He always seemed to be a guy who looked restrained under Ross. He would have outstanding games and then get his confidence knocked and go into his shell. Guy's like Raph seem like emotional soft people and according to people who know Watters that is the type he likes to nurture.

I really hope he gets some consistent form for the rest of his career because at the end of the day it's consistency not talent that is lacking in Raph.

[BigMart]

Ray was our best player vs Carlton.....

[PJ]

Is it just me or does Raph seem taller than 188 or whatever he's supposed to be?

[SainterK]

I reckon he appears taller than he is as well PJ, perhaps because he looks a lot more slender these days?

I loved that goal, just pure instinct.

[Eastern]

If he ever gets another game for the Saints, the board should sack Ross Lyon.

Sorry - but haven't we missed the lets bash Raph thread since he has been out.

Had to pick on poor Joey and Gilbo while he was out.

great to have the scapegoat back for the whingers on here

The rumours are WRONG. Raph DOESN'T have a pic of you in your mankini !!

[bigred]

Actually think the less restrictive, play on type of Watters game will suit Clarke much more than Lyons lockdown type game.

Instinctive type player who should never have to think too much on the footy field, gets hesitant and gets caught with the ball.

Agreed.

[The Redeemer]

He had a few typical Raph howlers. Nothing new there.

What I do not understand is why some supporters are now suggesting he will play better now that Watters is around?

He had GT as a coach for a while too...results?

So that is now three coaches with bugger all success from two after nine years and 80 odd games and now things are meant to change?

[defacto]

He had a few typical Raph howlers. Nothing new there.

What I do not understand is why some supporters are now suggesting he will play better now that Watters is around?

He had GT as a coach for a while too...results?

So that is now three coaches with bugger all success from two after nine years and 80 odd games and now things are meant to change?

age?

[Animal Enclosure]

In my book he'd be better up the ground... a floating winger/half forward. Could use his pace & creativity more & his mistakes wouldn't be highlighted.

[plugger66]

In my book he'd be better up the ground... a floating winger/half forward. Could use his pace & creativity more & his mistakes wouldn't be highlighted.

He is a straight ahead player. The last thing we want him to do is run around in circles which can happen up forward. He is HBF in either the saints side or the Sandy side. Probably the Sandy side at this stage.

[bigcarl]

In my book he'd be better up the ground... a floating winger/half forward. Could use his pace & creativity more & his mistakes wouldn't be highlighted.

He is a straight ahead player. The last thing we want him to do is run around in circles which can happen up forward. He is HBF in either the saints side or the Sandy side. Probably the Sandy side at this stage.

I know it's only the Suns, but Raph looked in far better touch than Jimmy at this stage of Jimmy's comeback. He is struggling at the minute.

[plugger66]

In my book he'd be better up the ground... a floating winger/half forward. Could use his pace & creativity more & his mistakes wouldn't be highlighted.

He is a straight ahead player. The last thing we want him to do is run around in circles which can happen up forward. He is HBF in either the saints side or the Sandy side. Probably the Sandy side at this stage.

I know it's only the Suns, but Raph looked in far better tough than Jimmy at this stage of Jimmy's comeback. He is struggling at the minute.

Totally agree but to me jimmy is more important and Im unsure both can play unless Gilbert goes out but I like him. Adds pace to the backline. Jimmy will take time and may have to go back to Sandy but when we get to the business end I reckon Jimmy at his best has Raph covered. Will he get back to his best this year. We can only hope.

[bigcarl]

Reckon Jimmy at his best has Raph covered. Will he get back to his best this year. We can only hope.

Jimmy at his best probably makes fewer howlers and is a lovely kick, but Raph is more creative and offers more run. I guess form will decide it.

[rexy]

Raph has played some good footy under all 3 coaches IMO, not an elite AFL player, consistantly delivering at his peak. But then many 150 game greats have been GOPs, Blake, Peckett, Thompson couple of wakelins, Brett Voss just to name a few.

[The Redeemer]

He had a few typical Raph howlers. Nothing new there.

What I do not understand is why some supporters are now suggesting he will play better now that Watters is around?

He had GT as a coach for a while too...results?

So that is now three coaches with bugger all success from two after nine years and 80 odd games and now things are meant to change?

age?

Excuse?

It was still the same old s*** even when the old s*** was new s***.

[cross2012]

Reckon Jimmy at his best has Raph covered. Will he get back to his best this year. We can only hope.

Jimmy at his best probably makes fewer howlers and is a lovely kick, but Raph is more creative and offers more run. I guess form will decide it.

Jimmy is the anchor in the backline, no doubt, but i have always thought Raph was more suited forward than back. His mercurial style means he comes unstuck at the wrong end of the ground.

[Freebird]

crap thread....

crap poster.

Heard some very nflattering things about you, you flog.

Was not one bit suprised

Everyone who posts on here knows your threads are almost exclusively directed at the poster rather than at the game of football.

your posts are an entire waste of bandwidth, always done in a hit and run style..you should hear what the Moorabbin Wing have said about you..

i don't know how you could ever present yourself in public....shameless individual....

This...JB the flog

[SainterK]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/afl/afl ... 2088c.html

[Wrote for Luck]

for a long time I thought Raph should be played on the wing, but with further thought, you would lose his effectiveness reading the play and getting a fist on the ball. something we need without a tall fullback. aerially he is underrated (too).
I don't think there are too many more players at St Kilda as exciting as Clarke when in full run, ball in hands.

[joffaboy]

Everyone who posts on here knows your threads are almost exclusively directed at the poster rather than at the game of football.

your posts are an entire waste of bandwidth, always done in a hit and run style..you should hear what the Moorabbin Wing have said about you..

i don't know how you could ever present yourself in public....shameless individual....

This...JB the flog

lol - considering everyone commented on my post re Raph under Watters compared to Lyon, you and knob Murray look like the worthless trolls you are.

Keep up the good work you two cabbages

Hey Bob, wanna know what Iw as told about you?

Really really funny

[The Redeemer]

Everyone who posts on here knows your threads are almost exclusively directed at the poster rather than at the game of football.

your posts are an entire waste of bandwidth, always done in a hit and run style..you should hear what the Moorabbin Wing have said about you..

i don't know how you could ever present yourself in public....shameless individual....

This...JB the flog

lol - considering everyone commented on my post re Raph under Watters compared to Lyon, you and knob Murray look like the worthless trolls you are.

Keep up the good work you two cabbages

Hey Bob, wanna know what Iw as told about you?

Really really funny

Just cram it the both of you.