As part of the 30^th anniversary of the 1984/1985 premierships, essendonfc.com.au are privileged to release a series of reflective profiles showcasing the players who featured in those back-to-back flags – a period that remains one of the high points in the history of the Essendon Football Club.

Neil ‘Nobby’ Clarke was a nuggetty defender who played an integral part in the ‘84/’85 back-to-back premierships.

‘Nobby’ was sent to play on Hawthorn captain and ‘Player of the 20^th Century’, Leigh Mathews, in the second quarter of the 1984 Grand Final.

In a stellar performance that the whole team was proud of, Nobby managed to keep Matthews to just 16 disposals while gathering 18 possessions of his own.

This display spoke volumes about the type of player ‘Nobby’ was.  He was awarded ‘Best Clubman’ that year and was highly respected by teammates, opposition players and coaches throughout his 135-game career.

Clarke passed away in 2003 at the age of 45.