Leo Clarke (rugby league)

Leo Clarke (born 3 April 1978) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, he played in the National Rugby League for the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Western Suburbs Magpies. Leo Clarke is of Māori descent. Leo Clarke has been a Junior Pathways coach since 2010 for the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, Western Suburbs Magpies, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and the Penrith Panthers. Leo Clarke has also coached the under 18’s Men’s team with the NSW Māori Rugby League.

Playing career
Clarke made his first grade debut for Western Suburbs in round 6 of the 1998 NRL season against South Sydney which ended in a 41–10 loss at the Sydney Football Stadium. He made one further appearance for Wests as the club finished last on the table his season ended prematurely due to injury.

The following year, he played six games for Western Suburbs as they finished last on the table in their final year in the NRL. At the conclusion of the 1999 NRL season, Western Suburbs merged with fellow foundation club Balmain to form the Wests Tigers as part of the NRL's rationalization policy. Clarke was not offered a contract to play for the newly formed club the Wests Tigers.

In the 2000 NRL season, Clarke joined St. George Illawarra and played in the First Division team. In 2001 he spent the season in first division winning the highest try scorer and highest point scorer of the first division completion. Leo Clarke was a valued member and a try scorer in the club's First Division Grand Final winning team. In 2002 He played four games for St. George Illawarra including both of their finals matches against Newcastle and Cronulla-Sutherland. A renowned try scorer and accomplished goal kicker, unfortunately Clarke was forced to retire after the completion of the 2002 season due to injury, he was 24 years old.