Grassroots football plays such a pivotal role in the development of young players, a fact that Jhye Clark understands better than most. 

Growing up just a short drive away from GMHBA Stadium, Clark honed his craft at the Queenscliff Football Club on a ground affectionately known as 'the Couta Bowl,' where his AFL dreams started to take shape. 

Following in the footsteps of his parents, winning a premiership alongside his brother and creating memories with some of his closest friends, it all culminated in an incredible junior career which ultimately saw Clark find his way to Geelong. 

Ahead of the Cats regional game against Port Adelaide on Sunday, Clark returned to Queenscliff and reflected on how instrumental the club was in helping him achieve his childhood dream.

"It has been great, they have always believed in me a lot," Clark told Cats Media. 

"It is a very small club, I remember growing up that we always had to fill in for the Under 14's and Under 16's when I was in Under 12's.

"The club is in such a special place now, I think they have got it running really well. The senior team is going really well this year and hopefully they make Finals and win another premiership.

"They have been a huge help for me and still are, still very welcoming whenever I come down."

Part of the Bellarine Football League, Queenscliff has been a major part of the footballing landscape on the Bellarine Peninsula for well over a century, winning numerous premierships and producing plenty of players that would go on to play at V/AFL level. 

Clark reminisced on some of his earliest memories of the club. 

"I remember we used to have the old rooms, these old brick rooms and I remember running out of there in Under 10's," Clark said.

"I played with my brother back then as well, so that was pretty cool. Then I reckon I played my first senior game here as well, so I have lots of memories. 

"I actually got to play in a premiership with my brother and Dad was coaching. I played my first senior game under Dad, he coached here for a few years early on and then came back to coach when I was here.

"Then Mum has done a load of work here as well. They are both very respected throughout the club."

For the second year running, Geelong will highlight the contribution regional football clubs make to the game of Australian Football with a commemorative guernsey in Sunday’s game against Port Adelaide.

The guernsey design, which was first worn in last year’s Country Game against Essendon features the colours of every Cats AFL player’s junior or local club – whether Australian Rules or Gaelic Football – in a stripe around waist.

Clark featured in the clash against Essendon last year, noting that it was a great honour to run out in an AFL match with the Queenscliff logo emblazoned across his chest. 

"That was so cool, it just puts a bit of extra fire in your below to play well," Clark said. 

"To represent everyone from home and your local club, I am sure all the other boys felt the exact same thing.

"It is a pretty cool logo, the Coutas logo so it was great to wear that on my chest again."

Ahead of Geelong's regional game on Sunday afternoon, Jhye Clark returned to his local club and assisted with a training session, helping to inspire Queenscliff juniors that are in the same position that he once was. 

Alongside Jack Martin and Connor O'Sullivan, the trio participated in a number of drills and exercises, Clark saying it is just as important for them as it is for the kids. 

"It is pretty cool, I haven't been back here in a while. I love it, it is such a cool place, all my family and friends still play here so it is great to be back," Clark said. 

"As much as it is great for them, it is also great for us.

"You remember the love for the game and how you were as a little kid, looking up to the people coming back.

"I remember when a few players came to training when I was here, you are just amazed and inspired to try and be like them. It is great for us to try and give back to them as much as we can."