5 minutes ago, rjay said:

Depends what you are calling the modern era?

2000 onwards imo.

Just now, BW511 said:

Peak Clarry is on par with anyone else I’ve seen play.

His ball winning ability even now is absolutely elite

His core stats for his role are still above average or elite

• 25 disposals per game

• 5.6 tackles

• 5.7 clearances

• 70% disposal efficiency which is comparable to the best inside mids in the competition, and is actually higher than during his peak years

• 12.3 contested possessions (his career average is 14.8) - both are elite numbers

• 5.2 score involvements

• 21.6 pressure acts

Supporters are definitely losing sight of how good he still is, because they're still holding a grudge against him for his behaviour in 2023/2024 and because they think he isn't worth the money he is on. Both are ridiculous reasons to dismiss how good he still is.

If he was getting paid $700k a year, nobody would ever contemplate trading him.

It's kinda weird too, it's like fans are convinced his and Trac's contracts are killing us with no evidence, when in fact we were able to chase Houston and secure a massive deal for Kosi. But no, the fans are apparently accountants now.

Credit to the man. Legend of the club

Claz the person: He’s one in a million. He’s playful and affectionate, he loves children and children love him. He can’t wait to be a dad.

Claz is honest… always honest. He’s childlike in some ways, which isn’t an insult, it’s actually a beautiful quality. Claz trusts everyone and doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body. He has a huge heart, and it’s worn on his sleeve. When he hurts, he hurts hard.

More than anything else in the world he adores his two cavoodles, Billy and Benji, and happiness to him is going home to his parents’ place in Echuca where his puppies “go off chops” when they see him. He says, “They love me no matter what.”

But the most amazing thing about Clarrie is his ability to remember… pretty much every single thing anyone says or does. His memory is insanely accurate and as we’ve agreed, that’s not always a good thing, but at times it’s a great thing.

1 minute ago, Ghostwriter said:

More than anything else in the world he adores his two cavoodles, Billy and Benji

A good man with impeccable taste in dogs and choosing who to give his heart to 🙃

Just now, Jaded No More said:

A good man with impeccable taste in dogs and choosing who to give his heart to 🙃

He had you at cavoodle, right? 😅

14 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

He had you at cavoodle, right? 😅

Bear approves this message

His first 150 games had him tracking to break every inside midfield stats record that exists. Clearance, contested possessions, tackles, handballs, even Brownlow Votes. Prior to the slump he was also shaping as a near-unique mid capable of stealing midfield intercepts on a regular basis.

It has been almost exactly 50 games since the injury and form slump that has him being just a very good midfield, to the frustration of all, not least himself.

Celebrate Oliver for what he's done.

Don't lose the sniff of what another 100 games could be in the event he has his mind and body in good order.

18 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

He's miles from top 3. To put him ahead of RBD is shameful.

Way behind Stynes, Alves, Lyon, Hardeman, Wells, Jones, Neita & several others.

Still bombs away over the forwards heads - perfect punching practice for opposition defenders.

And in 2024 & 2025 he's been bog ordinary.

Bang! Bang! BANG!

30 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Bear approves this message

Aaww

4 minutes ago, ghost who walks said:

Aaww

thats the best pic of clayton i have ever seen

Clazz <3333

Regardless of his recent form and issues, he's still a champion of this club. He's one of the best midfielders we've had in my lifetime, and I'd say he's possibly the best inside midfielder to ever pull on the red and blue. Peak Clarry was unstoppable around the contest and a key reason we won a premiership.

He deserves a ton of respect and admirations from fans and the general football public. Two time AFLCA MVP - the only other player to do that is Gary Ablett Jnr, who's a potential GOAT.

Even now while he's not at his dominant peak, his stats still stack up well against the comp and he's well above average for an inside mid, just not elite.

Will always love Clarry!

Edited July 17Jul 17 by Lord Travis

3 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Claz the person: He’s one in a million. He’s playful and affectionate, he loves children and children love him. He can’t wait to be a dad.

Claz is honest… always honest. He’s childlike in some ways, which isn’t an insult, it’s actually a beautiful quality. Claz trusts everyone and doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body. He has a huge heart, and it’s worn on his sleeve. When he hurts, he hurts hard.

More than anything else in the world he adores his two cavoodles, Billy and Benji, and happiness to him is going home to his parents’ place in Echuca where his puppies “go off chops” when they see him. He says, “They love me no matter what.”

But the most amazing thing about Clarrie is his ability to remember… pretty much every single thing anyone says or does. His memory is insanely accurate and as we’ve agreed, that’s not always a good thing, but at times it’s a great thing.

You will have noted the number on my bumper at Metricon

For him and Jako.

Love these vignettes from you.

But! WHAT IS THE CLOSEST DISTANCE YOU’VE EVER WAVED TO HIM FROM?!

🕵🏻

Edited July 17Jul 17 by Superunknown

42 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

You will have noted the number on my bumper at Metricon

For him and Jako.

Love these vignettes from you.

But! WHAT IS THE CLOSEST DISTANCE YOU’VE EVER WAVED TO HIM FROM?!

🕵🏻

Claz is definitely my closest imaginary friend. He’s easily a 5 - 7 metre player. 👋

I didn't get to see Barassi play for the Dees but I remember the days of Hardeman, Alves, Biffen, Wells right through until today.

I rate Clarry as equal best alongside Flower and that is saying a lot. He is the only player to play at MFC to play at top pace for 90% of every game, and the best distributor ever by a long way. His grunt and hard work are uncompromising, and his joy at bringing his teammates into the game is unbounded.

Love watching him play, even now when he is coming off a poor 2024, and still working back to his best. Absolute star, and a privilege to have him wear our jumper.

My 2 favourite MFC moments:

Flower running onto the MCG for his fist final, when he came off the bench. The sound!!

Clarry kicking the third goal at the end of the 3rd quarter in 2021 GF, and the commentary of "Bang, bang, bang!"

Thanks for 200 games of pure brilliance, and helping deliver the 2021 flag. Looking forward to 100 more.

13 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Claz is definitely my closest imaginary friend. He’s easily a 5 - 7 metre player. 👋

so you dumped me little rack

Just now, ghost who walks said:

so you dumped me little rack

But you’re not imaginary.

Or are you?

14 minutes ago, Maldonboy38 said:

I didn't get to see Barassi play for the Dees but I remember the days of Hardeman, Alves, Biffen, Wells right through until today.

I rate Clarry as equal best alongside Flower and that is saying a lot. He is the only player to play at MFC to play at top pace for 90% of every game, and the best distributor ever by a long way. His grunt and hard work are uncompromising, and his joy at bringing his teammates into the game is unbounded.

Love watching him play, even now when he is coming off a poor 2024, and still working back to his best. Absolute star, and a privilege to have him wear our jumper.

My 2 favourite MFC moments:

Flower running onto the MCG for his fist final, when he came off the bench. The sound!!

Clarry kicking the third goal at the end of the 3rd quarter in 2021 GF, and the commentary of "Bang, bang, bang!"

Thanks for 200 games of pure brilliance, and helping deliver the 2021 flag. Looking forward to 100 more.

Jesus, man! You forgot a “bang”!

1 minute ago, Superunknown said:

Jesus, man! You forgot a “bang”!

True, but it was the 3 bangs after the first single one that made the moment for me.

6 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

He had you at cavoodle, right? 😅

It’s funny you mentioned his 2 dogs, I’d actually wondered about them as I haven’t seen him post them on Insta in a bit. Also, love your anecdotes and all you said in your full post that’s up a bit.

And congrats to Clarry. I’ve not been in Australia long enough to have seen any of the great stars of the MFC like you all have. I got here in 2014 and got into footy a couple of years after that. So, I almost can’t remember a time he wasn’t playing. Clayton’s my favourite player—I won’t even admit to how much memorabilia I have with him on it.

I get how it can be hard to reconcile Clarry now to 2021, but I believe he’ll get back to his best. I was watching a game on TV and he had the ball and was running with the biggest smile on his face. That’s why I believe in him. He still loves the game and he’s not done. I only hope it will be with MFC.

Edited July 17Jul 17 by 710 Asbury St
Clarity

8 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

His first 150 games had him tracking to break every inside midfield stats record that exists. Clearance, contested possessions, tackles, handballs, even Brownlow Votes. Prior to the slump he was also shaping as a near-unique mid capable of stealing midfield intercepts on a regular basis.

It has been almost exactly 50 games since the injury and form slump that has him being just a very good midfield, to the frustration of all, not least himself.

Celebrate Oliver for what he's done.

Don't lose the sniff of what another 100 games could be in the event he has his mind and body in good order.

Yep...Arise SIR CLARRY..... YE ARE ONE OF A KIND!🤩

Did anyone else notice he had the white & blue boots on last week?

They actually made him look like he was covering the ground quicker & looked a bit flashier

Those black boots make you look like a bit of a plodder 😀

My favourite Dees player, god l hope he stays with us!

11 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

But you’re not imaginary.

Or are you?

Welcome to weird,wonderful wacky Demonland! Do not attempt to adjust your television set, we will control the horizontal, we will control the vertical, you are about to enter... THE OUTER LIMITS!