Hunter Clark

Hunter Clark becomes latest Saint to join Kangaroos’ wish list: AFL trade news

The lure of enlarged midfield minutes could be key in a potential deal.

Published by
Ed Carmine

Hunter Clark has become the third Saint linked with a potential shift to Arden Street, following reports that the talented 23-year-old had made his way onto Alastair Clarkson's ever-growing wish list.

While Clark remains a contracted name on Linton Street for the 2023 season, the former top-10 pick has been raised as an obtainable option at the trade table, should the price be fair.

As first reported by Daniel Cherny of CODE Sports, multiple clubs are said to be circling the Dandenong Stingrays product ahead of the upcoming exchange period.

In entering the Roos' radar, Clark has joined current teammates Bradley Hill and Ben Long as targets for a change of scenery, with all three recently linked with futures in blue and white guernseys.

Despite being brought to Moorabbin to ultimately fledge into a starting midfielder, Clark's development has been routinely impeded across the past pair of seasons following facial fractures, shoulder complaints and several concussions picked up since the commencement of the 2021 season.

With an ability to remain clean inside traffic and use the ball fluently off either foot, the 7th selection of the 2017 National Draft boasts a skillset that could serve Clarkson across multiple lines.

Still, as Clark holds a desire to see more action in the middle of the park, the promise of an improved role alongside the fledgling ilk of Will Phillips, Tom Powell, Luke Davies-Uniake and Jason Horne-Francis could prove too tempting to deny.

Though the headband-wearing Saint would duly complement such blue-chip talent, complications remain, given North holds a relatively muted draft arsenal comprised of picks 1, 55, 66 and 73.

Since debuting for St Kilda in Round 1 of the 2018 season, Clark has turned out in red, white and black on 68 occasions.

Clark's 2022 campaign was capped at just eight outings after his season was bookended by a late start and an early finish due to separate injuries.

Published by
Ed Carmine