Jordan Clark has returned to training hungry to regain his place in the Cats’ top 22 after playing just three games last season, according to backline leader Tom Stewart.
“Last year he was as disappointed as anyone at himself,” the dual All-Australian defender told a press conference this week.
“Injuries and being a young player don’t help that, but he’s impatient and I think that’s the best thing about Clarky. He wants to play and he wants to play right now.”
Clark had an excellent first year at the Cats in 2019, impressing fans with his turn of speed and penetrating kick.
But the half-back-winger suffered a dislocated shoulder in July 2020 and struggled to break back into the side.
Stewart praised Clark’s determination as the Cats look to tweak their defence following the retirement of champion backman Harry Taylor.
“He’s come back in really good nick, running personal bests in his time trials and training really well, so he’s given himself every opportunity to play.”
Mark Blicavs can slide into Taylor’s role, having spent a large portion of last season playing in the ruck and on the wing.
“It will be different but also more of the same,” Stewart said.
“We’ve had the same eight or nine roll through that backline for the last four or five years now.
“We’re very confident in who can play those roles now and we love playing with each other down there.”
Nathan Kreuger, who the Cats drafted in 2018, and new draftee Nick Stevens could make their senior debut this season.
“Having those boys that are ready and training well is obviously a good thing for us,” Stewart said.
Meanwhile the AFL has reduced its Community Series pre-season fixture from two games to one in a bid to minimise travel ahead of the premiership season.
Each club will play an official Community Series game between March 3 and March 7, instead of the initially-scheduled two games across three weeks.
All clubs will have a minimum seven-day break between their pre-season practice match and their Community Series game.
