The Clark brothers, Des, Dean and Peter were all top A Grade footballers, but of the talented trio, Dean was the only brother to go to a higher level.

At the tender age of thirteen, Dean "Bunga" Clark first made his debut in the 1953 B Grade. Ten years later he would win the A Grade Mail Medal and club Best and Fairest in a premiership year - although he wouldn't see out the Grand Final.

In 1959, Dean was invited down to Elizabeth Oval to be a member of the first inaugural Central District squad, although the newly formed Bulldogs' top side at that stage was to serve a probationary period in the SANFL Reserves - so technically it was not yet league football. With a wealth of experince by then playing footy in Gawler, Dean proved to be a valuable regular.

He returned to South in 1960 a seasoned professional, and played with distinction in the 1960 GDFL and 1961 APFL flags with younger brothers and fellow champions Des and Peter. After former West Torrens star Barry Walker was forced to resign as head coach because of a change in employment, in 1963 Dean reluctantly took over manging the A Grade, although he enjoyed a stellar year as Captain-Coach, only spoilt by dislocating his shoulder during the Grand Final. Nevertheless, he bravely coached the team for the rest of that day to the 1963 crown.

Sadly his shoulder would force Dean out of the game, and then in 1964 like Walker before him, Clark also had to move to Adelaide and could no longer continue as coach. Bert Harkness worked with a league football player from West Torrens, and eventually Dick Shirley, was appointed as senior coach.

Dean's honours include runner-up in the 1961 A Grade Best and Fairest, the 1963 Best and Fairest and the 1963 APFL Mail Medal.