Tim Clarke returns to IKON Park with 11 years of coaching experience, most recently as forwards coach with the Gold Coast Suns, having also implemented a new development program during his three seasons at the Queensland club.

The 39-year-old’s journey at the elite level began with Hawthorn, where he played 96 games between 2001 and 2008 before starting his coaching career at Richmond, initially as a development coach in 2010.

In 2013, Clarke was appointed Senior Coach of the Tigers’ VFL affiliate Coburg and a year later took the reins of the standalone side at Punt Road before commencing his first stint at the Blues at the end of 2015.

Clarke was midfield coach during his initial three seasons in the Navy Blue, working closely with a young group that included future co-captain Patrick Cripps, before moving north to join the Suns.

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