Image: Natasha Morello
A leap through the air to thump a header into the back of the net. No, it’s not a description of Tim Cahill’s many goals from club and country, rather an effort from Brad Clarke on his competitive debut for the Bulleen Lions, emulating his former Melbourne City teammate.
Not bad for a first-ever appearance in the state’s top flight against league champions South Melbourne. Also not bad for someone accustomed to a fullback role over many years, now thrust forward onto the wing.
Clarke may not score many with his head, but his introduction to the state’s top tier resembled more of a seasoned campaigner than a youngster coming up against a powerhouse, helping his side to a credible 2-2 draw despite giving up a late lead.
“Very happy. I think the game was very even. First half we were shaky but in the second half we took a bit of control. In the end I think we dropped two points,” he said.
Despite the new surroundings, there’s an element of familiarity to Clarke’s new tenure at the Lions.
The former Dandenong City junior links up again with Aaron Healey, his former coach at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex. Of the Lions’ front third on Monday, which consisted of Clarke, Luke Gallo, Oliver White and Jordan Templin, Gallo also came across from Melbourne City.
The new-look forward line was tasked with a lot of responsibility from the coach, but they passed their first test impressively, with Templin’s crosses setting up both Clarke’s and White’s goals
“I was at Dandy City and Aaron was one of my favourite coaches and he’s one of the reasons I’m here. The boys have been very welcoming and I couldn’t find any fault in anyone, the team has been gelling well. Me and Luke moved at the same time, Ollie moved later towards the season but he’s done well as a number nine and it’s been easy to work off him.”
Starting his footballing journey at Dandenong City, Clarke has state league stints at Doveton, Nunawading and Berwick – making a senior debut at Nunawading in State Two. A train-on at Victory youth, a long-term knee injury hampered his progress before Clarke moved back to Dandenong City.
A breakout NPL2 campaign in 2015 under Healey saw Clarke claim best and fairest honors at the club, before Melbourne City came calling just before the 2016 NPL deadline.
Despite 20 games and two goals in NPL2, plus a senior debut in the FFA Cup against the Brisbane Strikers – the same game of Cahill’s debut – Clarke left after one season, admitting the stint didn’t always go according to plan.
“I was at Dandy City and was about to re-sign there until one of the Melbourne City fullbacks [Matt Millar] left to South Melbourne and I thought I’d have an opportunity there with the first team and whatnot.
“I did a full senior pre-season there and played a few pre-season games and made my debut in the FFA Cup.
“I feel like they gave me and others a shot and I didn’t take it to the best of my ability.
“In saying that, there are some other good players there who haven’t yet been given their opportunity. I’m not a big fan of the youth system, there’s a lot of talent that gets overlooked due to limited spots.”
🚨CRACKER ALERT🚨
See Brad Clarke's half-volley in the #PS4NPLVIC.🎥 Full Highlights https://t.co/LPaV1h7TCUhttps://t.co/k144uw6yNP
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) June 20, 2016
Departing in search of Victorian top-flight opportunities, and with Bulleen going through massive turnover in 2017 following the exodus of previous coach Dom Barba and numerous senior players, Healey enquired about Clarke’s services. There was no hesitation in taking up the offer.
Timing is everything in football, and the opportunity afforded to Clarke by Healey seems a perfect fit to develop his all-round game in a first-team environment. One game into a long campaign ahead for Bulleen’s young squad, though, Clarke knows the difficult road ahead.
“Right now I’m just concentrating on Bulleen and doing my part. I have further ambitions but right now it’s just about the team,” he said.