Looks like Raph will be playing for Geelong Football League club St Albans.
I think he'll really enjoy his footy there.
All the best Raph
Delisted Saint Clarke to play with Supersaints
Nick Wade | January 15th, 2013
Raphael Clarke
THE lure of playing footy away from the Melbourne spotlight has led former St Kilda player Raphael Clarke to GFL club St Albans.
Clarke, delisted by the Saints at the end of last season, signed a one-year deal with the Supersaints yesterday and met his new teammates last night.
The 27-year-old was often maligned during his injury-plagued 85-game AFL career and said yesterday he would relish the chance to play without the relentless pressure.
"I just wanted to get out of Melbourne and play somewhere where there wasn't as much pressure," Clarke said.
"I want to play at a relaxed level but in a league that's still good enough to keep you honest.
"You've still got to come out and be fit here, you can't run around with a big belly and expect to get a kick.
"I haven't really spoken about roles for the season yet, but hopefully I get a run on-ball and across half back.
"St Albans' ground has a lot of room to run around, and I like a bit of space, like everyone does, so hopefully we have a good team and a successful year."
Clarke has been playing with St Mary's in the Northern Territory competition over the summer.
He will continue to play with St Mary's in the coming weeks, but will scale back his commitments to be fresh for the GFL season.
St Albans coach Clinton Proctor said Clarke's signing was proof the Supersaints' standing in the wider community was getting stronger.
"Obviously it's a big get for the club. It shows where the club's at and the type of respect we've got off the field to get a guy straight out of AFL," Proctor said.
"He's played nine years of AFL footy, so his experience speaks for itself. His role will be a playing role, but he'll be great for our young players, mentoring them and showing them the ropes."
