World Footy News

Ireland's Martin Clarke has opened his AFL career with a polished display in Collingwood's impressive win over Sydney at Telstra Stadium last night (Saturday 23rd June). Despite being named on the bench the 19 year old left-footer started on the field and played most of the match across half-back. Clarke was used mostly as a loose defender which allowed him to gather a high possession count. His first kick sailed out on the full and he naturally appeared tentative at first but quickly grew in confidence. As his possession count increased he revealed that of all the Irish recruits he has perhaps the most classical Australian Football kicking technique. Although still not 100% fluent his style was perfectly reasonable and was used to good effect throughout the night. Perhaps even more impressive were his reflexes and ability to take a tackle. Clarke was caught holding the ball on one occasion, but in many other cases was able to turn into a tackle and free his arms to give out clean handballs. Also notable was his mark of a "hospital" kick deep in the back pocket at a crucial stage when Sydney were surging. The ball hung above him and looked like an easy pick-off for the Sydney player, but Clarke leapt high into danger to get a hand on the ball then complete the mark falling to ground. There was also an incident later when he received a high knock and grabbed his head and there was fleeting moment when it looked like he may dwell on the blow rather than get back up quickly, but he was soon to his feet.

The above is a deliberately hard-nosed critique of the youngster's debut, but the bottom line is that any AFL club would be delighted to have a 19 year old draftee produce such a first game, let alone one with less than 12 months in the sport. Overall it was a superb start which had commentators excited and no doubt Collingwood fans overjoyed. Hailed as the Chris Judd of junior Gaelic football and possibly the best yet of the Irish recruits which have included such top performers as Jim Stynes and Tadhg Kennelly, Martin Clarke showed in his first game that he just may be as good as the early hype.

More importantly than the opinions of the media, the County Down lad has his coach well on-side. Clarke was interviewed on the field immediately after the match and surprised commentators at how composed he was. The interviewer also seemed to suggest that he wouldn't have played in front of a big crowd before. But Magpies' coach Mick Malthouse was much more realistic, pointing out that "he has played before 50,000 and 60,000 at Croke Park so I would hardly think we panicked about whether he was playing for Collingwood against Sydney in Sydney". Malthouse correctly dispelled a view that is sometimes present in Australia that somehow because Gaelic football is not professional in terms of salary that it therefore isn't a fiercely contested competition played by top athletes. The tight tussles in International Rules should also have demonstrated the strength of their game to Aussies, though Clarke did mention he was cramping late in what he described as the fastest game he has played in.

Clarke said his parents saw the game on television back due to Sydney's games going live to Ireland due to the success of Tadhg Kennelly at the Swans. With 11 kicks, 9 handballs, 5 marks and 4 tackles they would have seen plenty of him.

You can read some more thoughts on Clarke's game in Malthouse raps Collingwood rookie Clarke on Yahoo Sports and Scintillating start for Clarke on the AFL website.