News AFL door open for Clarke to return

[TradeDraft]

COLLINGWOOD Aussie Rules football club will leave the door open for Martin Clarke's return in the future despite his decision to commit to Down for season 2011.
"He'll play in Down this year and he'll decide in due course what to do," Collingwood's national recruiting manager Derek Hine said.
"As it's always has been, the ball is in his court. We won't be pressuring him or asking him, it's his decision.
"When and if he indicates that he has an interest in coming back, we'll address that then."
However Hine, who Clarke lived with during his time in Melbourne, wasn't underestimating the task for the 2010 All-Ireland finalist if he does decide to make a return.
"He's a driven young man as you know but the game changes so quickly

Good To Hear we are on Good Terms on Clarke and IF he ever wants to play AFL again we will try and Get him back as a Pie

http://www.herald.ie/sport/gaelic-football/afl-door-open-for-clarke-to-return-2438689.html

 

[HFF]

He will be back IMO.

Players of his quality will be very important to have and get virtually for nothing with more compromised drafts in motion.

 

[Thommo 42]

If only he had won the All-Ireland this year, thats the only reason he didn't come back imo

 

[Mickaman]

If only he had won the All-Ireland this year, thats the only reason he didn't come back imo

Agree. I think the margin was only 1 stinkin point as well.

 

[Pies Fan 61]

Love to have him back

 

[Swooop]

I don't think Marty would make the team thesedays.

Long way to come to be a depth player.

Really like the guy, but if he got homesick playing seniors, can't imagine how he'd be playing twos.

 

[Daicos Mullets]

I reckon he would have come back this year if he'd won the Gaelic final. As it is, I think the door is closing fast & we won't see him back at the Pies.

 

[Kirby]

I don't think Marty would make the team thesedays.

Long way to come to be a depth player.

Really like the guy, but if he got homesick playing seniors, can't imagine how he'd be playing twos.

This is pretty much how I see it.

He's not so good that he would just march in to this team.

 

[Pie eyed]

I don't think Marty would make the team thesedays.

Long way to come to be a depth player.

Really like the guy, but if he got homesick playing seniors, can't imagine how he'd be playing twos.

Agree.
Other players have leap frogged him since he left.

 

[dayna36]

although one thing about marty is that he was leading all our running drills and we all know he's a fast learner so I think if they put him in the vfl side and re-mould him and teach him our style of play (whilst we as a team try to adapt to the new interchange rules) then he may become a gun player but the longer you leave it, the harder it is..I love the kid but I'm really split on whether he can make it again at the highest level, why couldn't they have won the premiership this year.?.?.?.

 

[Thommo 42]

if he continued to develop as quickly as he initially did, he would win the brownlow by 2012 if he came back, let alone make the side!

 

[3066]

There's no doubt Marty was well liked at the club and with the fans (me very much included) ... but jeez i can see the potential for this to turn into a "Rusling type thread" popping up every now again..... eg ... Marty close to coming back, Marty itching to play AFL again, Marty wants to pay the Pies back ..... yadda, yadda, yadda ... yet nothing to come of it.

The truth is, if Marty wins All Ireland in 2011 and wants to come back it's going to be a very tough effort getting into a premiership side going for a 3-peat in 2012.

 

[magpiewarrior]

Just how old is Marty now?

 

[soreplums]

I don't think Marty would make the team thesedays.

Long way to come to be a depth player.

Really like the guy, but if he got homesick playing seniors, can't imagine how he'd be playing twos.

he is every chance to make the side. He'll be fighting for a spot with Blair, Goldy, caff, johnno, toovey, leon, dick, krak, Buckley, Thomas, Sinclair, young. They are not by any stretch automatic selections. People would have thought that Jack was an automatic selection after 2009. He struggled in 2010 and will be at Freo in 2011.

It would be interesting to see if Leon and Johnno are around for 2012. Marty would be a handy replacement.

 

[Ed D]

I'd like to see him back but I'd be surprised if he did, at least this year. I think he can adapt quickly but he'd have to be committed, and I'm not sure that'll happen until he has the All Ireland or whatever it is.

 

[irish pie]

mark my words. HE WILL BE BACK

 

[Swooop]

mark my words. HE WILL BE BACK

Irish pie, on what basis do you say that....purely gut feeling or something more?

 

[irish pie]

lets just say i no him very well and he will wear the black and white again in the near future

 

[KevyMatts]

Down's Martin Clarke isn't ruling out the possibility of returning to the AFL after next season.
Currently in Kuala Lumpur with the All-Stars, the former Collingwood star said: "I will definitely be playing Gaelic football in 2011.

"In 2012 I might still be at it or I might be in Australia. I'd like to leave my options open. It wouldn't feel right to go back to Australia now because I'm really enjoying myself with Down. I'm fortunate to have a few opportunities but right now I don't know if I will be going back to Australia."

Clarke's Australian experience has been very good for him, but he insists that the talent level among Gaelic footballers is just as high.

"I think people get carried away with the Australians. They like putting out this picture that they are the biggest, strongest around. They really like themselves in that respect and they like talking about how strong they are. In fact, our lads are just as strong. I never saw any player as quick, strong and fit as Danny Hughes or Ambrose Rodgers in Australia," he said.

"That's only within Down and when you come on trips like this you see boys like Bernard Brogan and Graham Canty, there is no difference between them and the Australian boys."









http://www.sportsmanager.ie/cake/gaa2/downGaa/news/27271/Clarke_not_ruling_out_AFL_return

 

[Swooop]

Well irish pie, you sound like you know Marty a bit and seem confident, but from what your Irish mate kevy has quoted, that doesn't sound overly optimistic...mind you reports are not entirely known for their accuracy.
I'll wager you a guinness he doesn't return to the pies

 

[PieBeast]

To be honest i wasn't all that keen on Marty returning next year but after reading Kevy's post i say Marty who?
Nothing to do with him rating the Irish lads higher, its the fact that a player who was borderline best 22 couple of years ago and before we hit our straps can think he can just waltz into our side whenever he decides

 

[irish pie]

Well irish pie, you sound like you know Marty a bit and seem confident, but from what your Irish mate kevy has quoted, that doesn't sound overly optimistic...mind you reports are not entirely known for their accuracy.
I'll wager you a guinness he doesn't return to the pies

mate ill hopefully be in a bar around melbourne come round 1 2012 and u can sit me up a pint of the mighty black stuff.

 

[Swooop]

mate ill hopefully be in a bar around melbourne come round 1 2012 and u can sit me up a pint of the mighty black stuff.

Sounds good, in the unlikely event

How would a person recognise you irish pie...you look like Marty at all, coming from the same part of the world?

What would be the main differences between you and Marty?

 

[irish pie]

footballing ability..
we can arrange closer to the time mate. u happen to know were pj o briens is in melbourne? they do a great guinness

 

[irish pie]

footballing ability..
we can arrange closer to the time mate. u happen to know were pj o briens is in melbourne? they do a great guinness