Raph Clarke ... turned his career around completely

Legendary · Post: # 649507Post **Legendary** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:20am

8 weeks ago Raph was probably close to being delisted at season's end, even considering his personal situation.

He's copped a very ill father, a diagnosis of epilepsy and a huge wave of criticism and responded in a way he should be proud of.

Was in our best players both last week and this week in high pressure finals games.

Has become comfortable and confident at AFL level. Uses the ball well and attacks the game.

Congratulations to Raph on tonight's performance and the way he has turned everything around.

Credit to his character.

mick13 · Post: # 649515Post **mick13** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:22am

Was great to see him do so well, no longer do we close our eyes when we get the ball...

Good luck to him, hope he can become a regular 22 player, and with the talent he has, hopefully a lot more than just a regular 22 player.

makemytime · Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:22am

Hes turned out well and he was very tough today, taking many hits by the hawks and is one of our best in recent weeks. I can sort of see him becoming a kp defender, but like everyone else - needs a big preseason

The_Dud · Post: # 649520Post **The_Dud** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:23am

i thought he struggled under the pressure tonight, especially early on

and what the hell was with the right foot banana as he was running the ball out of defense in the first quarter? horrible turn over

st.byron · Post: # 649527Post **st.byron** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:24am

agreed Legendary. One of the few positives out of tonight. He looks so much more assured when he gets the footy and he's prepared to take blokes on in a way that he never used to.
If he can develop his overhead skills a bit more he'll turn into a really solid backman.

Spinner · Post: # 649529Post **Spinner** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:25am

The_Dud wrote:i thought he struggled under the pressure tonight, especially early on

and what the hell was with the right foot banana as he was running the ball out of defense in the first quarter? horrible turn over

He was great tonight.

Poor comment dud....Especially because your one of his haters.

The bloke played well, and is looking to finally find his feet at AFL.

The_Dud · Post: # 649535Post **The_Dud** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:26am

hey, i could have been alot harsher

is definately getting better, but still makes crucial errors

Teflon · Post: # 649537Post **Teflon** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:26am

The_Dud wrote:i thought he struggled under the pressure tonight, especially early on

and what the hell was with the right foot banana as he was running the ball out of defense in the first quarter? horrible turn over

Your name does your posts justice.

Raph was good tonight.

linz · Post: # 649543Post **linz** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:28am

Just wondering whether "The Dud" has changed his avatar as I haven't been following the sight for a while now.

He has a long way to go but he is looking more & more Winmarish as his game develops.

The_Dud · Post: # 649550Post **The_Dud** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:29am

Teflon wrote:
The_Dud wrote:i thought he struggled under the pressure tonight, especially early on

and what the hell was with the right foot banana as he was running the ball out of defense in the first quarter? horrible turn over
Your name does your posts justice.

Raph was good tonight.

did i say he wasn't?

all i said was he struggled under the pressure at times

linz · Post: # 649699Post **linz** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 1:07am

The_Dud wrote:
Teflon wrote:
The_Dud wrote:i thought he struggled under the pressure tonight, especially early on

and what the hell was with the right foot banana as he was running the ball out of defense in the first quarter? horrible turn over
Your name does your posts justice.

Raph was good tonight.
did i say he wasn't?

all i said was he struggled under the pressure at times

As you are now

RodKeoghsLoveChild · Sun 21 Sep 2008 1:13am

I think he can be a really good player. He needs to work on his disposal. He looks to be a little more comfortable in his decision making which has really helped his game.

Defintately a plus for us in the latter half of the year.

Saint Bev · Post: # 649829Post **Saint Bev** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 2:24am

The_Dud wrote:
Teflon wrote:
The_Dud wrote:i thought he struggled under the pressure tonight, especially early on

and what the hell was with the right foot banana as he was running the ball out of defense in the first quarter? horrible turn over
Your name does your posts justice.

Raph was good tonight.
did i say he wasn't?

all i said was he struggled under the pressure at times

Totally agree, he only plays well, againts lesser sides. Time to take the blinkers off.

SaintBot · Post: # 649834Post **SaintBot** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 2:26am

These past two weeks he has added something to the side, as opposed to being carried with the hope that he wouldn't be a liability.

A strong pre-season and hopefully he can start from the word go in 09 and really get some form going.

Well done to him!

Raven · Post: # 649836Post **Raven** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 2:27am

A few months ago all my confidence had gone regarding Raph.

Now, it's flooding back, and I'm starting to feel safer when the ball is in his hands. If he can get a good preseason under his belt, it'll be a good thing.

I'm glad to have been proven wrong.

bigcarl · Post: # 649838Post **bigcarl** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 2:30am

Legendary wrote:Was in our best players both last week and this week in high pressure finals games.

agree. he shows a bit of daring and is prepared to back himself.

i can think of a few other timid souls who never make mistakes because they rarely venture anything.

BigMart · Post: # 649914Post **BigMart** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 7:53am

After watching him mid-year against the bendigo bombers when he was WOG I felt his footy days were over.....did not want to be there, similar to Barry Brooks body language a few years ago...I thought it was a pity, because he has ability...the following week he had a terrible first half against Tassie.....and the scorps were behind, Raph was moved to the wing and had a great third quarter.....set up 4 goals and turned the game...

Since getting back into the seniors he has hardly put a foot wrong and has earned his spot (or better) next season he will blossom IMO...

Along with a few others...

1eyedNever · Post: # 649939Post **1eyedNever** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 9:32am

Yep played 2 average games in 7 years
Just another below average player that will probly stay on our list for 5 more years for 2 more average games
Please trade for a real player

Winmar7Fan · Post: # 649940Post **Winmar7Fan** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 9:32am

linz wrote:Just wondering whether "The Dud" has changed his avatar as I haven't been following the sight for a while now.

He has a long way to go but he is looking more & more Winmarish as his game develops.

Are you out of your mind? That's the biggest joke I've read on here not to mention Insult to Cuz. There's only one thing they have in common.

He is getting better but how can you compare his slow unco loping run and decision making to the pacey but silky, graceful moving Winmar with pinpoint accuracy off both feet? Not to mention about an extra 15 touches a game average as well.

Next you'll be saying Jason Blakes looking more like Dean Cox

derby Street · Sun 21 Sep 2008 9:45am

The_Dud wrote:i thought he struggled under the pressure tonight, especially early on

and what the hell was with the right foot banana as he was running the ball out of defense in the first quarter? horrible turn over

Your name says it all - On this basis I expect to see 19 critical posts on the other saints players. Were you watching the game through the bottom of a glass ?

joffaboy · Post: # 649956Post **joffaboy** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 9:59am

Raph tried hard all night in a badly beaten team. Was indecisive at time however that was more due to the Saints lack of options upfield.

Put his body on the line and ran straight at the ball.

Not his best game but cant be faulted on endeavour and that is all you can ask of anyone.

Taling to some people last night, they seemed to think it may have been the medication he was on early this year for epilisy. Apparently the dose is large to get the condition under control and then is lessened to the individuals correct level.

Also apparently the medication can interfer with concentration and reactions. This certainly seemed the case with Raph. Early this year he looked slow, indecisive, and unable to make decisions. When he came back against Freo he looke decisive, sharp, and clear thinking. I had not seen a bigger transition in a player.

Anyway Raph should feel happy he has worked through his adversities and can only improve.

Now for X.

JeffDunne · Post: # 649967Post **JeffDunne** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 10:08am

I don't think it was just earlier this year JB that he showed those flaws. However there's no doubt the diagnosis and learning to deal with the medication would have had a huge effect. I'm sure he's still learning to deal with it in all aspects of his life (hope he keeps those Mad Monday celebrations in check)

Confidence is the difference and knowing your coach and club and will stick by you.

I've never doubted his ability but I had serious doubts about his self-belief.

One of the real positives this season and I couldn't be happier for him.

bergsone · Post: # 649979Post **bergsone** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 10:21am

RC copped a couple of HEAVY knocks last night and kept going,one area of his game I doubted was the effort when things arent going your way.Credit where credit is due,just hope he can now CONTINUE the improvement he is now showing

stevos2151 · Sun 21 Sep 2008 12:10pm

I will never doubt Raph Clarke again. Has shown that he can handle playing on the big stage against the best teams under pressure.
Thank you Raph for providing some hope during this pathetic final series

realdeal · Post: # 650225Post **realdeal** » Sun 21 Sep 2008 1:18pm

[quote="Saint Bev

Totally agree, he only plays well, againts lesser sides. Time to take the blinkers off.[/quote]

when i left the ground ast night Hawks weren't a lesser side and Raph was one of our best, just like he's been for a while now.

If we had a few more players that could get the ball and try and be creative and run like he has lately we wouldn't have been so bad last night.

Things are definatly looking up for him.

C'mon folks give credit where credit is due

Raph Clarke ... turned his career around completely

Raph Clarke ... turned his career around completely

Re: Raph Clarke ... turned his career around completely

Really