He was a sporting natural and one of the smartest football thinkers of all time. Although he was lightly built, it didn't stop him diving into packs for the ball and he usually came out with it. His artistry was great to watch. His fearlessness also led to him receiving more than his fair share of head injuries during his career.
He was a superb Essendon captain from 1958 until he retired as skipper at the end of 1964. Only Dick Reynolds was captain for longer and Bill Hutchison for the same period.
He won the best and fairest award in 1958 and 1962 and was runner-up in 1953, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1963. He was also the Dons second top goalkicker in 1960 and 1966 (equal). His best goalkicking effort was 6 in a game in 1960. He led the Dons superbly as first rover in the 1962 premiership victory and was also amongst the best in the centre in the 1965 premiership win.
He polled 116 Brownlow Medal votes which is the third most of any Essendon player behind Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison. He polled most Essendon votes in 1956 with 10, in 1957 with 11, in 1958 (equal) with 15 and in 1966 with 9 votes. He was second top in 1953, 1955 and 1965 (equal) and third top in 1954, 1959 (equal) and 1960 (equal).
His interstate record is unsurpassed at Essendon. He played for Victoria in every year from 1953 to 1962 and only Bill Hutchison has played more interstate years. He won three All Australian blazers in 1953, 1956 and 1958, a feat that had only been equalled by one other footballer.
He captained the State side in 1959, 1960 and 1962 and played in 27 interstate games which is second only to Bill Hutchison and kicked 12 interstate goals which has only been bettered by nine Dons players.
He also won the outstanding services award in 1959 and 1963 and the most consistent player award in 1954. His career at Essendon ended sensationally when he was dropped in early 1967 and he then retired. He had been an applicant for the Dons coaching position when John Coleman was appointed in 1961 and he acted as assistant coach when Coleman was laid low with hepatitis in that year.
He did, however, come back as coach in 1968 after Coleman stood down and his new approach to training had immediate results when the club finished runners-up. But this success was short lived and after a disastrous year in 1970 he was dumped. In 1978 and 1979, he returned to the Dons as a specialist coach before becoming assistant coach at St Kilda from 1981 to 1983. His father, Tom, had also been an Essendon star in the 1930's and his brother Ron was a champion athlete.
Jack Clarke was a true champion of the Essendon Football Club and Australian Rules Football. His loss has saddened all associated with Essendon and our deepest sympathies are extended to his family and friends.
