THE BIGGEST challenge for Fremantle defender Jordan Clark as he started this season was to let go of the All-Australian star he was last year and evolve again as a player, judging himself differently and creating room for others to flourish.

A prolific and attacking half-back, Clark was named in the back pocket in the All-Australian team last season after averaging 24.1 disposals and racking up 30 or more touches in six games.

But his blazer provided no comfort after an elimination final loss to Gold Coast, with the Dockers exiting September knowing they needed to share the load more in all parts of the ground.

For Clark, who was elevated to the leadership group this season, that has meant looking at the bigger picture with Fremantle's defence and helping others, including new addition Judd McVee and much-improved backman Karl Worner.  

The 25-year-old could easily feature in the All-Australian team again in 2026, but even if he doesn't, his game remains in terrific order if you judge him on the metrics that matter most to Fremantle. 

"It's natural for everyone to compare my football to last year and compare the stats and everything else, but the biggest hurdle for me was to not hold on to last year at all and acknowledge that this year is a different year," Clark told AFL.com.au this week.

"The game has changed and I'm in the leadership group now, and I'm looking at things more holistically. So I'm very confident with where my football's at and the foundations of my game are still there.

"I'm the last person that wants to go out there and just have 30 nothing disposals. I'd much rather be in a team that's contending at the end of the year than be out in the first final like we were last year but with an All-Australian jacket.

"So, if anything, I'd probably be more content with where we are this year [compared to] where I was last year individually."

Selection in last year's All-Australian team was due recognition for two strong seasons, with Clark also recognised as a squad member in 2024 as he elevated his game as an assertive, courageous and skilful defender.

This year he has taken on several roles against dangerous half-forwards, including Gryan Miers, Latrelle Pickett, Jack Ginnivan and Darcy Wilson, while also drawing the attention of opposition stoppers like Milan Murdock.

Responsibility has been shared when it comes to bouncing out of the backline, with Luke Ryan (5.3 rebounds a game) and Worner (4.5) each playing prominent roles alongside Clark (4.7), and McVee (2.8) growing in the second half of the season.

"It's a group mindset to share the load. And with that comes blokes stepping up and obviously blokes being able to let go of the individual attachments," Clark said.

"Obviously there's a sense of pride and all that nourishment when you do feel like you've individually played well.

"But for me it was learning very quickly to judge my game in different areas and hold myself accountable in areas that actually matter and essentially help the team more, rather than an extra five kicks that don't really mean anything.

"Every good team goes through it and every footballer has evolution.

"Our club is constantly building and trying to find ways to get better, and with that comes blokes from underneath stepping up and flourishing around the more senior guys now.

"I think that's what makes us a very special group."

The areas that Clark now judges himself on are a reflection of his growing stature as a leader, with none of them showing up on a stats sheet at the end of the game.

They have been valued greatly, however, through an 18-3 season and Fremantle's status as the No.1 defensive team in 2026.

"What matters most to me is my communication, how I attack the football, and then obviously how I defend. Those three things are what I can control," Clark said.

"I don't like being a half-back that is just seen to attack all the time and that sort of thing, and sometimes chasing the football and focusing on stuff that relies on other people getting it to you is not the best way to play football.

"I'm very happy with [those focuses]. It's something I've done a lot of work on with 'Twig' (backline coach Jade Rawlings) and I'm still going to town on it and trying to find ways to get better as an individual."

Another area Clark has focused on this season, after big strides in 2025, is continuing to channel his frustration and anger within games in a productive way that doesn't hurt the team.

It's been a significant area of growth for the former Geelong wingman, who has put significant work into his mental preparation over the last two seasons, both inside and outside the club.

An expectant father with his first child on the way in the off-season, Clark hasn't lost his cool on the field once this season and said he had learnt to work through a series of cues when he needs to stay in the moment.

"I'm very competitive, but I think I'm better at being able to deal with the frustrations and the anger," Clark said.

"It's not about letting go of that and not being frustrated or angry, because it is what makes me tick. It's more the learning curve of dealing with it better when I'm in those situations.

"It's been a hard journey. It was something I had to sit down and talk a lot about and I copped a bit of heat from 'JL' (Justin Longmuir) at times for free kicks and stuff like that, but it's certainly made me a better person.

"I'm not one to really judge myself as a footballer. It's what I want to be as a human. I think I've still got a lot of work to do, but I've improved in that area for sure."