World Footy News

AFL trade week is underway with the 18 AFL clubs playing a complicated game of bluff and dare with players and draft picks ahead of season 2012.

Already one deal has been done that sees Ireland's Marty Clarke return to Collingwood after a two year absence.  Because he was no longer listed by the Magpies the "rights" to Clarke belonged to new club GWS Giants, but they agreed to send him on to Collingwood in a multi-part deal.

Less certain but also possibly on the move is long time Carlton player Setanta O'Ailpin.  The tall Irishman (also of Fijian descent) has been in and out of the Blues' team for most of his career and has asked to be traded if the club can find an interested team.  If not it seems likely he will still be kept given that Carlton so often call on him in ruck or up forward when they get some injuries.  At times it has appeared that his team-mates have not shared the ball with "Carlos" as well as expected, perhaps lacking faith in his erratic disposal.  It would certainly be interesting to see him given a fresh chance at another AFL club.

 

The following is the Collingwood press release covering the Clarke deal done today:

 

The Collingwood Football Club has completed a trade with Greater Western Sydney that brings Irishman Martin Clarke back to the Magpies. 

Collingwood has sent its first round selection in the upcoming AFL Draft – number 25 overall – to GWS in exchange for Clarke and Victorian teenager Jamie Elliott, who were both pre-listed by the Giants. The Magpies have also acquired the Giants’ fourth round pick – number 67 overall - in the deal.

Clarke, who turns 24 in November, played 46 games for the Magpies from 2007-09 after the club originally selected him as an international rookie in the 2006 AFL Rookie Draft.

He was elevated to the senior list midway through the 2007 season and made his debut against the Swans in Sydney in round 12 that year.

During his three seasons in the AFL the 181-centimetre Clarke played across half back and through the midfield, with his endurance and excellent disposal features of his play.

Clarke returned to Ireland in 2010 to play for Gaelic football team County Down, the club he was drafted from.

19-year-old Elliott, from Euroa in country Victoria, played for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup in 2011 and represented Victoria Country in the 2011 AFL Under 18 Championships. He is a 177-centimetre forward who has good pace, is strong overhead and is good defensively.

Visit http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au to watch the Elliott’s interview and highlights on CTV.

Clarke is currently still in Ireland and is not available to the media at this time.