Clarke underwent a full knee reconstruction in the early stages of the 2009 season and arrived in Brisbane halfway through his lengthy rehabilitation.
The Club developed a thorough recovery program and took extra precaution with the former first round draft pick to ensure that his body was conditioned appropriately before giving him the green light to resume full training.
This meant that Clarke was frustratingly forced to watch his new team-mates from the sidelines from the moment he arrived until he joined the main training group only six weeks ago.
But the 26 year-old has kept a positive frame of mind and has certainly made his presence felt at the Club off the field.
“When you get to a new club, you really want to be out there doing all the training with the boys,” Clarke said.
“But I just had to go about my rehab and try and get some respect from the players that way. I’ve also tried to get involved in everything I possibly can whether that’s on the track or in meetings,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed the last five or so weeks being able to train alongside the main group.”
Clarke is now set to play his first competitive match since injuring his knee 16 months ago when he lines up for the Lions Reserves this Saturday afternoon against Broadbeach at Giffin Park.
“It’s been a long road back,” he said.
“I did my knee 16 months ago now so it’s been a long time since I’ve played a game of footy.”
“I’ve done a lot of training and now I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and running around again.”
With much of the spotlight on the other five mature-age recruits in the opening months of the season, Clarke has been able to quietly go about his business with little fanfare.
But while his first outing will be considered a success so long as he gets through unscathed, Clarke is still hoping to make a valuable contribution to the side.
“I like to place high expectations on myself,” he said. “But considering it will be my first game of footy in a long time, I guess I’ve just got to get out there and get used to running around again.”
Coincidentally, his former side St Kilda will be making the trip to Brisbane this week to take on his new Club.
While he still keeps in touch with many of his former team-mates, there is no questioning that his allegiances now rest solely in the Lions’ camp.
“The Saints have been fantastic over the past two years and are probably the benchmark of the competition together with Geelong,” he said.
“Saturday’s game will certainly give our boys a really good test.”
“I guess I’ll probably get a few text messages over the next few days and I’ll probably send a few myself to try and stir a few of those guys up.”
“I spent eight years at the Saints and have some really good mates there.”
One thing Clarke hasn’t been able to get out of his former side is any information on whether the Lions can expect to be lining up against Saints Captain Nick Riewoldt who is apparently close to resuming after a serious hamstring injury.
“My brother (St Kilda player Raphael Clarke) won’t even tell me,” Clarke laughed.
“I’ve been talking to him a little bit this week and they’ve been keeping it all pretty tight-lipped.”
