Born on 26th December 1930, Noel Clarke played for North Launceston, North
Hobart and represented Tasmania as well as playing 77 games for Melbourne between 1951 and 1955 registering 155 goals.
A situation vacant sign hung outside North Hobart headquarters for eleven years. Applicants of all shapes and sizes were given the job, some lasted a match, others a month, one or two survived a season, but in the end they
were all sacked. And the feverish search for a spearhead began all over again.
But North Hobart stalwarts who had stirred uneasily in their sleep since the 1955 nightmare when North kicked 10.20 to lose the semi final, shed their fears for the future when it became known that Noel Clarke toyed with the
idea of setting up home and establishing a business in Hobart. North staked their claim early and the windfall was in the words of one writer "
the biggest blessing bestowed on North this side of the war.
"
Quietly spoken Noel corrected the lack of balance, or bite, in the North Hobart attack; a chronic weakness that plagued them throughout the post war period.
His whiplash leads from a flat start; his soaring leaps above the pack to
gather the ball had a great deal to do with fans enjoyment of the football in 1956. As the same writer stated "
The greatest thrill came as Clarke moved in to take his shot from a long way out. The rhythmic movement of the run in, the kick, the follow through and the flight of the ball - this punt kicking in all its splendour.
"
Noel Clarke's football career is remarkable considering he played most of it with a serious knee injury. He had an enormous leap and a long deadly left foot kick. With the familiar knee bandage he seemed to be able to rise
out of the grandstand goalsquare to appear above the railing, no matter how small you were or how many rows back.
Prior to his arrival at North Hobart he had played for North Launceston for two years from 1949 to 1951 playing in their 1949 and 1950 NTFA premierships and in their State premiership win over Hobart in 1950.
The 1949 State premiership team - North Launceston. Noel Clarke is
pictured fifth from the left in the second from from the back. John Leedham is sixth from left in the same row while Jack Hawksley is eight from left. Club secretary Charlie Searl is seated first on the left in the third row from the back while club coach Gavin Luttrell
is seated sixth from the right in the same row.
He transferred to VFL club Melbourne and played in a premiership win with them under Norm Smith. In 1952 he won the club goalkicking with 49 and again in 1954 with 51 goals. He played seven seasons in the TFL, four of them
interrupted by his crippling injury.
His record against other states also underlined his talent; he and John Leedham both kicked numerous goals against Victoria in the narrow 1957 loss at North Hobart. Victoria beat Tasmania 15.17.107 to 13.14.92. John Leedham kicked four gaols while Clarke kicked six. This game was the game where
Geoff Hill, Stuart Spencer and Darrel Baldock debuted for Tasmania.
All up Noel Clarke kicked 20 goals for the TFL, 19 of which he kicked in 1956 when he won the Weller Arnold medal. He kicked 16 in the two games versus the NWFU, 10 in the game at North Hobart and 6 in the game at Burnie. He also kicked three goals
against the NTFA. The return game against the NTFA was scheduled while the 1956 carnival was on so he did not play in this game however made amends by kicking 15 goals for Tasmania. In 1957 he kicked 1 goal 7 behinds against the NTFA. The normal combined roster was not played in this year to allow
for two state games whicvh were played against the VFL where he kicked 6 goals at North Hobart and the following Saturday kicked 7 goals against the previous years All Australian fullback John Abley playing for South Australia.
At the 1956 Perth carnival Noel Clarke scored 15 goals ending up second only to Victoria's Jock Spencer who kicked 17.
He kicked 5 vs VFA, 4 vs WA, 4 vs VFL and 2 vs SA.
Clarke was appointed playing coach of New Norfolk in 1958 and he was in
brilliant form but in only the third match of the season against Glenorchy, had scored nine goals to three quarter time when he came down heavily on his knee.
The 1958 New Norfolk team at North Hobart Oval on 7th April 1958
prior to playing Hobart. Noel Clarke, the captain coach is pictured at the head of the lineup with Rex Garwood standing seventh in line.
He kicked 342 goals in total; North Hobart 231, New Norfolk 63, TFL (4 games) 20, Tasmania (6 games)28. He topped the TFL goal kicking list twice; in 1956 with 81 goals and in 1961 with 66 goals.
Noel Clarke was one of the great full forwards that Tasmania has produced.
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Noel Clarke - A Tasmanian Football Legend
