Nathan Clarke (born 27 October 1979) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the

Brisbane Lions The Brisbane Lions is a professional Australian rules football club based in Brisbane, Queensland, that plays in the Australian Football League (AFL). The club was formed in late 1996 via a merger of the Melbourne-based 1883 foundation VFL c ...

in the Australian Football League (AFL). Clarke was recruited by Brisbane through the rookie draft, from Maroochydore in Queensland. His father, Barry, is a half forward flanker in the state's official Team of the Century. A utility, he played his first game late in the

2000 AFL season The 2000 AFL season was the 104th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured six ...

, against Hawthorn at the Gabba.AFL Tables: Nathan Clarke
/ref> In a memorable league debut, Clarke kicked two goals, took 10 marks and had 18 disposals. After appearing just twice in 2001, a Brisbane premiership year, he was delisted by the Lions. Clarke then nominated for the

2001 AFL Draft The 2001 AFL draft consisted of a state draft, a body draft, a pre-season draft and a trade period. The AFL draft is the annual draft of players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Austra ...

and was redrafted by Brisbane with pick 45, which they had received in the Trent Knobel trade. He wasn't able to break into the seniors in 2002 and was delisted again, at the end of the year. He coached the Brisbane Lions reserves side, who compete in the

North East Australian Football League The North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) was an Australian rules football league in New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The league was formed in November 2010, and its inaugural co ...

Northern Conference, to two premierships in 2011 and 2012.Clarke clocks out
/ref> Previously he played in Canberra, where he captain-coached Eastlake.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Nathan 1979 births Australian rules footballers from Queensland Brisbane Lions players Eastlake Football Club players Living people