CLARKE, Dylan

Dylan Clarke was recruited at pick 63 in the 2016 AFL National Draft. He was a tough midfielder and played a number of tagging roles on top opposition players with a great deal of success. He was unable to secure a regular place in the team and was delisted at the end of the 2021 season.

He only played one senior game in 2018 but finished third in Essendon's VFL team's Best and Fairest award and was named as half-back in the VFL Team of the Year.

He had his best year in 2019, playing 11 games and winning the Club's Best First Year Player award. In only his second game, he kept Carlton star, Patrick Cripps, to the quietest game of his career. Perhaps coincidentally, Carlton coach, Brendon Bolton, was sacked the following day.

The following week, Clarke won the AFL Rising Star nomination in the Round 13 game against Hawthorn.

He was delisted at the end of November 2020 but reinstated in the AFL rookie draft. He only managed four games in 2021 and was again delisted.

He later played with Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL.