Noel Clarke (footballer)

Noel Arthur Clarke (26 December 1930 – 7 August 2022) was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and in Tasmania.^[1]

Noel Clarke
Personal information
Full name	Noel Arthur Clarke
Date of birth	(1930-12-26)26 December 1930
Date of death	7 August 2022(2022-08-07) (aged 91)
Place of death	Glenorchy, Tasmania, Australia
Original team(s)	North Launceston
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	81 kg (179 lb)
Position(s)	Forward
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1951–1955	Melbourne	77 (155)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1955.
Career highlights
1955 VFL premiership player
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Career begins in Tasmania

Clarke signed with North Launceston at the start of the 1949 season,^[2] won the club's best first-year player award,^[3] and was among the better players on Grand Final day when North won the NTFA premiership.^[4] He was a star player the next season too when North Launceston won the State Premiership as well as another NTFA title.^[5]

Moves to Melbourne

Noel Clarke joined Melbourne in 1951 and played most games at full forward. He played a major role in the 1955 Melbourne premiership side by kicking three goals in the Grand Final.

Return to Tasmania

In early 1956 Clarke was cleared by Melbourne to play with North Hobart in the TFL competition.