Raph Clarke

[St. Luke]

I think he's looking pretty good! Lots of run and looks like he's put on a fair whack of muscle.... But.... I couldn't help feel sorry for him, because at virtually every contest he was in he was copping it! Dragged backwards onto his foot, head clashes everywhere! He couldn't pull a trick! The poor bloke will be waking up pretty sore and sorry for himself today I reckon! I think we'll see great things from his this season!

Poor CJ will also be waking up with a screaming headache! Ouch!

[gringo]

I loved the fact that Raph and Gwilt put their heads over the ball even in the nab cup, shows we are in good nick mentally.

I hope Raph gets his body through the season though.

[saint66au]

Sadly he still as a certain % of the Saints crowd just waiting, almost willing him to make a mistake so they can pounce on him. Good play just results in silence. Was in evidence last night as always.

Sad

[Junction Oval]

Must admit that I have been a "doubter" about Raph. It's seems that this year he has a lot more confidence and finesse about him.

With Gilbert going forward, his pace and height are much needed. Let's hope the hammies stand up!

[Animal Enclosure]

There's no doubt that my battles with the pillock who sits behind me will continue in 2011.

He actually was carrying on about Raph at one stage last year when Raph was out injured.

Great to see Raph looking good... very encouraging signs

[PJ]

There's no doubt that my battles with the pillock who sits behind me will continue in 2011.

He actually was carrying on about Raph at one stage last year when Raph was out injured.

Great to see Raph looking good... very encouraging signs

Strangely I always find it's elderly people that sink the boot in to Raph.

[maverick]

There's no doubt that my battles with the pillock who sits behind me will continue in 2011.

He actually was carrying on about Raph at one stage last year when Raph was out injured.

Great to see Raph looking good... very encouraging signs

Strangely I always find it's elderly people that sink the boot in to Raph.

Agree, if elderly is 50+

The chest mark he dropped in the goal square last night is what he needs to rid himself of....

[St. Luke]

He had some really good run last night, hand balling off and sprinting up further to receive it again! He's deceptively quick!

Last night he just seemed to be in the wars. It didn't deter him, and I really liked that! I hope he has a good clean injury free year and turns it on! Go Raph!!

[Moccha]

Raph is very cat like. Just waiting to pounce

[BigMart]

Showed lots of courage on lots of occasions last night....another vg game.

[bergholt]

Showed lots of courage on lots of occasions last night....another vg game.

agreed, just watched the game and liked his performance. if he keeps going like that all year he'll be permanent.

i like the different dimensions he gives our backline. chips has composure and reliable disposal. jimmy g is strong and his kicking is a serious weapon. raph is quick and willing to break the lines. and then blake, zac, dempster, bakes are all really solid, can do a job and are comfortable on the ball.

and as for depth, walsh looks fine but hopefully won't be needed soon. and while simpkin had a shocker in the second half last night - playing on hawkins was maybe too much to ask - he'll develop over the next year or so. certainly has the mindset for it, now just needs to improve his play.

[iwantmeseats]

Yes as mentioned he is leaner, seems quicker, surer, but for me the glaring difference so far this year is he is MUCH cleaner with his hands.

[plugger66]

Yes as mentioned he is leaner, seems quicker, surer, but for me the glaring difference so far this year is he is MUCH cleaner with his hands.

Others have said he looks bigger. I will go with the same weight as the last 3 years. A lot said Dal looked smaller too. I think the only weight Dal has lost is on top of his head.

[Armoooo]

It may just be my imagination but it seems like a lot of our players are a bit leaner in the core but a bit bulkieri n the arms, almost as if they've made the transition from Geelong's body types to Collingwoods in one pre-season...

Must say I have been extremely surprised with Raph this past fortnight. I have never been Raph's biggest fan, although I have never booed him at a match or unfairly maligned him, I have just always felt that he isn't that great a player but IMHO the past two weeks have been the best I've ever seen of him. Fingers crossed he can carry it into the season proper.

[Leo.J]

We need Raph to be good.

The club has put alot into his development.

He's 25 played 65 games, if he can get a run of games without injury he'll pay us back.

He's tall, quick and has good skills (when he doesn't have time to think about it).

He defends well, and breaks lines.

He makes some clangers, but so did BJ when he'd played only 65 games.

Time to pay the piper Raph...

[SainterK]

Yes as mentioned he is leaner, seems quicker, surer, but for me the glaring difference so far this year is he is MUCH cleaner with his hands.

Others have said he looks bigger. I will go with the same weight as the last 3 years. A lot said Dal looked smaller too. I think the only weight Dal has lost is on top of his head.

I think Dal is leaner, and I think Raph has bulked up in his shoulders.

[SaintPav]

We need Raph to be good.

The club has put alot into his development.

He's 25 played 65 games, if he can get a run of games without injury he'll pay us back.

He's tall, quick and has good skills (when he doesn't have time to think about it).

He defends well, and breaks lines.

He makes some clangers, but so did BJ when he'd played only 65 games.

Time to pay the piper Raph...

BJ still makes the ocassional clanger...

[Dr Spaceman]

We need Raph to be good.

The club has put alot into his development.

He's 25 played 65 games, if he can get a run of games without injury he'll pay us back.

He's tall, quick and has good skills (when he doesn't have time to think about it).

He defends well, and breaks lines.

He makes some clangers, but so did BJ when he'd played only 65 games.

Time to pay the piper Raph...

Think Raph will gladly pay the piper once God deposits sufficient funds into his health account.

To date the big guy's been a bit slack in doing so.

[Con Gorozidis]

We need Raph to be good.

The club has put alot into his development.

He's 25 played 65 games, if he can get a run of games without injury he'll pay us back.

He's tall, quick and has good skills (when he doesn't have time to think about it).

He defends well, and breaks lines.

He makes some clangers, but so did BJ when he'd played only 65 games.

Time to pay the piper Raph...

agree this is raphs time now. i just wish hed do some leg weights. still has those skinny legs which makes him get bumped out of contests. but he does have great go-go-gadget arms. can get a spoil in from seemingly miles away. if he can replace gilbos role down back and allow gilbo to go forward. makes us really dangerous. go-go gadget raph.

[yipper]

Showed lots of courage on lots of occasions last night....another vg game.

Courage has never been a problem. Both he and his brother have it in spades. He does look bigger and appears to be a very confident player at the moment.

[Eastern]

Sadly he still as a certain % of the Saints crowd just waiting, almost willing him to make a mistake so they can pounce on him. Good play just results in silence. Was in evidence last night as always.

Sad

With a little bit of gentle persuasion from your good self and that fat old bugga sitting behind you last night, those people will soon be turned around !!

[Bernard Shakey]

Yes as mentioned he is leaner, seems quicker, surer, but for me the glaring difference so far this year is he is MUCH cleaner with his hands.

Others have said he looks bigger. I will go with the same weight as the last 3 years. A lot said Dal looked smaller too. I think the only weight Dal has lost is on top of his head.

I think Dal is leaner, and I think Raph has bulked up in his shoulders.

Raph is bigger in the upper body and BJ's arms are positively thin. Dal looks the same.

[Wrote for Luck]

Reckon BJ's done a bit of work on his legs.
I'd like to stress the importance of a player like Raph to our club. At a time when defensive pressure is supreme, players like Raph and Gwilt and Chips are absolute gold dust.
To beat a magpies press, a loping and thrusting Clarke could tip the balance in a grandfinal.
I was incredibly impressed with this trio Saturday night. Even Blakey got a gallop on.
No surprises what they've been training for.
Add to this an end to end switching Gilbo.

Lord may it continue!

[Spinner]

Yes as mentioned he is leaner, seems quicker, surer, but for me the glaring difference so far this year is he is MUCH cleaner with his hands.

Others have said he looks bigger. I will go with the same weight as the last 3 years. A lot said Dal looked smaller too. I think the only weight Dal has lost is on top of his head.

definately bigger across the shoulders and arms. Being out with a torn handstring should result in thrashing out the gym.

Dal - same.

Just realized how thin bj looks!

[The Fireman]

Always said Raph would be a star