His six-game stint in the AFL over for now, Ryan Clarke has responded in the best possible way to his first omission a fortnight ago.

In the last two weeks, Clarke has amassed close to 60 disposals, working well both inside and outside.

Unsurprisingly he’s taken lessons from his time in the senior side.

“His time in the AFL has meant that he’s been able to pick up a few things that some of his opponents at AFL level have done as well, and tried to implement some of that back here,” North development manager Ben Dyer told NMFC.com.au.

Looking at Clarke’s year so far on the whole, Dyer was full of praise for the 19-year-old.

“When you look at his year, it’s been really solid. He started (at Werribee) and had a good batch of form before he was called up,” he said.

“That experience at AFL level has been invaluable for him, and we’ve already seen the result of it when he’s come back down to Werribee.”

From Clarke’s perspective, one key area of his time at AFL level stood out.

“I learned heaps in those six weeks, just from the professionalism of the other boys, and particularly the senior boys,” he said.

“I’ve come back with a bit of confidence, trying to take it on a bit more and trying to get back in that AFL side.

“You shouldn’t come back to VFL and just take it easy. It’s all about adjusting, and (for me) it’s about taking on the lines, taking the game open.”

Clarke’s season at Werribee finished with a victory, taking down Sandringham by 20 points at Avalon Airport Oval.

After an up-and-down year by the team as a whole, Clarke spoke maturely about how the win reflected on the group.

“I was pretty happy with my game today. Obviously stoked for the team, just to come out and get the win,” he said.

“We could have lied down and taken the defeat like we’d done for a couple of weeks, knowing that we’re not playing finals.

“But I think (today) showed the character of the boys, getting up and playing some really good footy and proving ourselves, to the supporters that we’ve still got it in us.

As Clarke was talking about his performance, the attempts to distract him from some of the fellow first-year Roos were on in earnest just a few metres away.

It’s a common sight around the building at Arden St as well, as the younger players have formed a tight bond; one that helps each of them out on the field.

“I love playing footy with them (his fellow draftees). We’ve got a pretty good bond, the first to third-year players,” Clarke explained.

“Hopefully next year a couple of us can play (together) in the ones, but it’s a really enjoyable season so far and I’ve loved it down here at Werribee.”