Down teenager Martin Clarke has made an encouraging start to his fledgling Aussie Rules career, starring for Collingwood in yesterday's exhibition match against the Sydney Swans.
The 19-year-old caught the eye of the Collingwood management during the Magpies' 66-51 defeat to the Swans at the North Sydney Oval.
It was Clarke's debut for the Melbourne club - the 2005 All-Ireland minor winner lined out across the half-back line, running well and snuffing out several of the Swans' attacks.
Sydney, the 2005 AFL Premiership champions, were without several of their big names, including Kerryman Tadhg Kennelly and Australian International Rules captain Barry Hall.
Clarke's display, in front of 9,560 fans, could see him earn a place in the Collingwood side for next weekend's NAB Cup opener against the Kangaroos.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Collingwood's assistant coach Gavin Brown said: 'We were really pleased with Marty, really pleased. He was probably the stand-out player from the point of view that he had never played a game of Aussie Rules before.
'It just showed that he has an enormous amount of will and want, and he had put in a lot of hard work. It was fantastic for him today - a good step. After tonight's performance, he has certainly put himself in contention for next week, no doubt about that.'
