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Clarke Wins Rising Star Nomination

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Martin Clarke wins NAB Rising Star Award

Martin Clarke wins NAB AFL Rising Star nomination

10:55 AM Tue 3 July, 2007 | Back
By Jennifer Witham and Catherine Murphy
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network



News

IRISH youngster Martin Clarke has been rewarded for his stunning start to his AFL career with the round 13 nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award.The talented Magpie burst onto the scene against the Sydney Swans in round 12, and backed up on Sunday with an often-inventive three-goal performance against the Hawks. He becomes the second Irish player to win a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after premiership defender Tadhg Kennelly in 2002.Clarke, 19, has been described as "remarkable" by coach Mick Malthouse after picking up the game – and the specific skills required to play it – in less than 12 months.
He had 20 possessions in his first game against the Swans in round 12, and 19 against Hawthorn on Sunday.
"It's definitely unexpected [to be nominated],” Clarke told afl.com.au. “My focus was to get into the side and then once I got in, I just wanted to be clear on what role I had to play with Collingwood."
"I don't think I've done anything too special to get the nomination ahead of some great players. It's definitely a great honour for me."
Clarke said his parents have been extremely supportive of his move to Australia, and have already been to visit their son in his new surroundings of the Magpies’ Lexus Centre.
"At first, they were a bit conservative about me coming out to Australia, but once they've got a feel for how much I'm enjoying it and how good a club Collingwood is, they've just been really supportive," he said.
"I think my brother and sister plan to come over too."
Incredibly, Clarke was informed of his nomination exactly one year after he arrived in Australia. The Magpies flew him out to undertake a month's trial with the oval ball in July 2006.
It’s been a big 12 months for the teenager – for starters, he's the new cult hero for the black and white army – but he's just glad all the hard work has began to show dividends.
"A lot has changed in the year, but I've worked hard and the coaches and resources at Collingwood have been first class," he said.
"I've just listened to all the advice I've got from coaches and players and worked hard and did a bit extra after training. It's starting to come together now."
Clarke joins the following players to be nominated for the award so far this season: Paddy Ryder (Essendon), Cameron Wood (Brisbane Lions), Tom Hawkins (Geelong), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Ricky Petterd (Melbourne), Jess Smith (Kangaroos), Shaun Higgins (Western Bulldogs), Mitch Clark (Brisbane Lions), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Shannon Hurn (West Coast) and Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide).
 
IRISH youngster Martin Clarke has been rewarded for his stunning start to his AFL career with the round 13 nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award.

The talented Magpie burst onto the scene against the Sydney Swans in round 12, and backed up on Sunday with an often-inventive three-goal performance against the Hawks. He becomes the second Irish player to win a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after premiership defender Tadhg Kennelly in 2002.

Clarke, 19, has been described as "remarkable" by coach Mick Malthouse after picking up the game – and the specific skills required to play it – in less than 12 months.

He had 20 possessions in his first game against the Swans in round 12, and 19 against Hawthorn on Sunday.

"It's definitely unexpected [to be nominated],” Clarke told afl.com.au. “My focus was to get into the side and then once I got in, I just wanted to be clear on what role I had to play with Collingwood."

"I don't think I've done anything too special to get the nomination ahead of some great players. It's definitely a great honour for me."

Clarke said his parents have been extremely supportive of his move to Australia, and have already been to visit their son in his new surroundings of the Magpies’ Lexus Centre.

"At first, they were a bit conservative about me coming out to Australia, but once they've got a feel for how much I'm enjoying it and how good a club Collingwood is, they've just been really supportive," he said.

"I think my brother and sister plan to come over too."

Incredibly, Clarke was informed of his nomination exactly one year after he arrived in Australia. The Magpies flew him out to undertake a month's trial with the oval ball in July 2006.

It’s been a big 12 months for the teenager – for starters, he's the new cult hero for the black and white army – but he's just glad all the hard work has began to show dividends.

"A lot has changed in the year, but I've worked hard and the coaches and resources at Collingwood have been first class," he said.

"I've just listened to all the advice I've got from coaches and players and worked hard and did a bit extra after training. It's starting to come together now."

Clarke joins the following players to be nominated for the award so far this season: Paddy Ryder (Essendon), Cameron Wood (Brisbane Lions), Tom Hawkins (Geelong), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Ricky Petterd (Melbourne), Jess Smith (Kangaroos), Shaun Higgins (Western Bulldogs), Mitch Clark (Brisbane Lions), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Shannon Hurn (West Coast) and Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide).

Looks like Pendlebury is no longer a sure thing for the award.
 

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Nah - I think we'll only let Marty dominate a few more games, then let him master the world of BBQs, surfing and beach cricket to properly allow him to settle into Australia.

Then, next year he can come in and be the first player to win the Rising Star, the Brownlow, the Coleman and the Norm Smith all in the same year.
 
Well done Marty...:thumbsu:


Just a quick question. Clarke is from County Down in Northern Ireland. Would that not mean he is actually British, as Northern Ireland is actually part of the United Kingdom?
 
The two countries have recently had talks and i think they are pretty close to becoming united again. But on the British question it would be like calling all Austrlians British becaus we are controlled by the British, unless Eddie gets his way. He is from Ireland and is therefore an Irelander.
 
the_champ_2004 said:
The two countries have recently had talks and i think they are pretty close to becoming united again. But on the British question it would be like calling all Austrlians British becaus we are controlled by the British, unless Eddie gets his way. He is from Ireland and is therefore an Irelander.
Click to expand...


No, incorrect.

I said Clarke might be considered British, not English. Great Brition includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Four different countries, but all part of the United Kingdom or Great Brition.

Ireland is very sepparate from this and is in fact part of the European Union.

So is he British?
 
Aristotel said:
No, incorrect.

I said Clarke might be considered British, not English. Great Brition includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Four different countries, but all part of the United Kingdom or Great Brition.

Ireland is very sepparate from this and is in fact part of the European Union.

So is he British?
Click to expand...

Technically yes, but I strongly suspect if you called a Northern Irish catholic British he would punch you in the face! The troubles in that part of the world are essentially a dispute between the protestant majority who consider themselves British and the minority catholics who consider themselves Irish.
 
Mark W said:
Technically yes, but I strongly suspect if you called a Northern Irish catholic British he would punch you in the face! The troubles in that part of the world are essentially a dispute between the protestant majority who consider themselves British and the minority catholics who consider themselves Irish.
Click to expand...


I thought that might be the case. He's probably Catholic and considers himself an 'Irishman'.

I was just suprised it hasn't been brought-up before...:thumbsu:
 

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Aristotel said:
No, incorrect.

I said Clarke might be considered British, not English. Great Brition includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Four different countries, but all part of the United Kingdom or Great Brition.

Ireland is very sepparate from this and is in fact part of the European Union.

So is he British?
Click to expand...

Nope he's Irish, or an Ulsterman if you prefer.
 
Easily deserved it.

Bloody impressive kid!
 

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Goldsack will finish 3rd behind Pendles and Clarke who become first to tie award.

Well done Clarkey.
 

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