All about the club for 300 game full back

THIS weekend’s home game at Linton Rec Reserve between Carngham Linton and Ballan has some extra meaning, beyond the Saints’ search for their first victory of the season.

Stalwart Tim Clarke is set to run on for his 300th seniors appearance for the home side, however, in true clubman style, he’s trying not think about what it means for him.

“It’s a pretty big individual honour, I suppose,” he said. “But I’m not one for the individual honours, so I’ll be trying to tell them it’s more about the team effort.

“We’re going in pretty confident, but the boys will probably step up. Hopefully, it’s enough to get over the line and have a win.”

Clarke started in the Carngham Linton juniors many years ago and since then has risen through the ranks.

Over his journey he’s been captain, club best and fairest, and tasted ultimate success with the Saints as they lifted multiple senior premierships in the Lexton Plains League.

A solid full back, it wasn’t always that way for Clarke.

“In the early years of the seniors I was back flank, and might have had a bit of a stint up on the wing when I was a bit fitter,” he said.

“As the years have gone on, I’ve probably made it down to the backline and made my spot there, and that’s where I’ve played a majority of my footy.

“I’ve probably got pretty much everything you could with the club, apart from goal kicking. I’ve never played full forward!”

While there’s no denying Carngham Linton have gone through a rough patch of late, and since they joined the Central Highlands Football League, Clarke said while winning is nice, there are other important things that keep him coming back week after week, and season after season.

“It’s the mateship, the friends that you make along the way and the people you get to know and have a beer with of a Thursday night after training,” he said. “It’s a family orientated club. I love the social side of things.

“We had some success in the early years of my senior career and that’s probably helped me keep on as long as I have.”

Carngham Linton take on Ballan in seniors CHFL action at Linton Recreation Reserve, from 2.35pm on Saturday, 15 May.