Noel Clarke

DOB: 26 December, 1930
Debut: Round 6, 1951 against Carlton at MCG
Last Game: Grand Final 1955 against Collingwood at MCG

Games: 77
Goals: 155
Career Statistics (external link)

Wins	Draws	Losses	Winning %
34	1	42	44.15

From: North Launceston

Number: 26 1951-1955

Honours
Premiership Player - 1955
Grand Final team - 1954
Leading Goalkicker - 1954
150 Heroes selection

Debuting for North Launceston in 1949, Clarke played in two straight NTFA premierships and the 1950 state championship victory over Hobart. Melbourne then moved for him and he was eventually cleared to the Demons after a lengthy wrangle which some suggested was payback for the Victorian League not clearing South Melbourne champion Ron Clegg to Tasmania.

He booted 25 goals in 13 games in his rookie year despite playing in just one win from 13 matches and was referred to in the Football Record as "one of the best recruits ever to come into the game".

49 goals the next year told the tale of a much improved Demons side. In 1953 Melbourne went back to being a disappointment, and called into more defensive duties, Clarke managed just six goals in 15 matches.

Returning to the forward line in a much improved 1954 side, Clarke kicked six goals in the 1954 Semi Final, and was the third highest goalkicker in the VFL that year. Recalled after missing more than two months, Clarke returned for the 1955 Grand Final and kicked three goals. He earned his first and last premiership as he never played VFL again.

At the age of 25 he returned to Tasmania and joined North Hobart, topping the league goalkicking in the first season and playing for Tasmania in the Perth Carnival. In 1958 he joined New Norfolk as captain/coach and led the league goalkicking again in 1961.

Clarke achieved the rare feat of being selected in three "best" teams. As full-forward for North Launceston, centre-half forward for New Norfolk and amongst the best at North Hobart.