World Footy News

Collingwood’s Caolan Mooney will make his debut on Saturday afternoon, against Fremantle at the MCG, after a breakthrough five goal performance in the VFL last weekend.

 

The 19 year-old Irishman, from Rostrevor, County Down, has played only 13 games of Australian  football but his speed and quick grasp of the code has seen him improve at a rapid rate in the mere months he has been with club.

 

After being signed during the 2010 season , Mooney was rookie listed as an international draftee last December and has now been elevated to the senior list to replace Lachie Keefe. Keefe has been placed on the long term injury list after suffering a serious knee injury in the match against Adelaide in round nine.

 

 

 

 

Coincidentally, Mooney has been given his first opportunity as fellow Irishman Marty Clarke drops back to the VFL. Clarke has been demoted along with Tom Young from the 22 which narrowly defeated West Coast last weekend. Teenager Jackson Paine, who last played in round four, also returns to side.

 

Mooney was pre-listed as a international rookie late last year with a reputation as a blisteringly quick and athletic talent and became the third Irishman at the Westpac Centre. He joined Clarke and Paul Cribbin (Cribbin is yet to debut at AFL level).

 

Months of impressive progress in the VFL from Mooney – he played three NAB Cup matches - came to widespread attention last weekend when he kicked Collingwood’s first five goals against Coburg, bringing his tally for the season to 16 in just nine games.

 

His Australian football education thus far has largely been as a half-forward.

 

 

CLICK HERE for more on collingwoodfc.com.au, including the full team and comments from Mooney.