Erin Clark (HOK/(MID?)): GOLD COAST TITANS

Clark managed 4 games through rounds 18-21 in his new role at Lock, averaging 56.5 minutes for 52.75 fantasy points, made more impressive that there was no tries in this sample – just good old fashioned repeatable stats. Expanding the sample to include games he played 40+ mins off the interchange, we can get Clark to 7 matches for 51.7 points in 51.9 minutes (almost 1PPM).

I am struggling to do more in depth analysis than this, because it is all so obvious. 37 tackles (2 missed) and 90 metres per game in base, with 1 offload and 3.5 tackle busts per game. That is 53 points in base and sustainable attacking stats in 55 mins without any try involvements. With Clarks low centre of gravity and leg speed doing the work, he presents a different challenge to the defense than his middle counterparts.

With the pending departure of Isaac Liu, Tino and Clark will be asked to play the bulk of the minutes in the middle of the field, with Fotuaika and Joliffe also having meaningful roles while still being able to throw 100% into their work. Clark was fully recovered from his injury for the start of preseason, and will have plenty of time to develop combinations with new spine members Foran and Verrills along with Brimson and Campbell. We expect Clark to attract 55-60 minutes per game on average, which should see him on (on the low end) pushing out an average in the low 50s, on the high end as a 55+ gun keeper with DPP.

The Titans do have a round 5 bye, but also have a reasonably soft draw prior to the first major bye. Clark is not eligible for State of Origin, and with Tino a walk up starter who may need resting through this period it makes Clark all that more valuable for the Titans.

Clark currently sits at 2.5% ownership, which is bizarre because he is probably the best hooker option to start the 2023 season in terms of value, better even than Brandon Smith.

We would expect all our Amateurs followers to be all in on Clark, as I am.

AMATEUR MARK