Clarke made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in Round 7 of the 1929 season. He was appointed captain in 1937.[2]
He was the senior coach at the St Kilda Football Club from 1938 to 1940 with 28 wins from 55 matches. He was captain-coach for 1938 and 1939, until he retired as a player in May 1940.[3]
He later returned as a player for one final match in July 1940.[4]