While most 19-year-olds are still finding their feet, Angus Clarke is already living two dreams at once - pulling on the Essendon guernsey in his AFL debut season and learning the ropes on a Metricon construction site.
Originally from the tiny South Australian town of Tantanoola, Angus recently swapped life on a dairy and sheep farm for the buzz of Melbourne and the bright lights of the MCG. A Rising Star nominee in his first year at Essendon, he’s proud to be representing more than just his club - he's representing every kid growing up beyond the city limits.
“I only moved to Melbourne six months ago, so I still feel fresh out of the country,” Angus says. “Growing up on the farm, you’re always working with your hands and solving problems - it teaches you a lot. I’m proud to represent that lifestyle on a bigger stage.”
It’s a fitting sentiment from someone who’s never been afraid of hard work. Whether it’s early morning training sessions, shearing sheds back home, or picking up a hammer on-site, Angus brings a quiet determination to everything he does.
“I’ve always liked being hands-on,” he says. “Even as a kid, I was building fences and calf pens with my Pa. A lot of my mates went into trades, and I’ve always had an interest in construction. It’s something I see myself doing alongside footy, and long after it.”
That interest recently brought Angus to Metricon, where he’s been shadowing a Site Manager and getting a feel for how homes come together - from the ground up.
“Through the footy club, I got introduced to Metricon and I’ve spent time on-site with Victorian Metro Construction Manager, Daniel,” Angus explains. “The team has been amazing - they’ve been really generous with their time and have already taught me so much.”
And while playing footy and building homes might seem worlds apart, Angus says there’s more overlap than you’d think.
“Teamwork is huge in both. On-site, everyone has a job to do and relies on each other to get the result - it’s the same on the footy field. Communication, resilience, discipline - they all transfer.” Angus Clarke
It’s this mindset that’s made his start in the AFL so promising. The early days have been full-on, but he’s taking it in his stride.
“It’s been pretty flat out, but I love it,” Angus says. “The environment at Essendon is unreal – a great bunch of people and a great culture. I just want to keep improving, earning my spot, and contributing to the team however I can.”
Behind that drive is a strong family influence. Angus credits his work ethic to his parents and grandparents.
“Watching them in the shearing sheds taught me that hard work pays off. You can’t take a backward step in that sort of work. The more you put in, the more you get out – and I’ve carried that into everything I do.”
While his AFL journey is only just beginning, Angus is already thinking about what comes next - and what he’s building beyond footy.
"Footy is amazing, but it doesn’t last forever. I want to make sure I’ve got a plan for life after it – and working with a builder like Metricon is a perfect fit. Gaining real experience now, while I’m playing, means I’m building something solid for the future. It’s exciting.”
From the fields of Tantanoola to the fields of the MCG - and maybe a few building sites in between - Angus Clarke is shaping something pretty special.
