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Player Profile

9 Martin Clarke

 
Details
Number 9
Height 181cm
Weight 84kg
DOB 13-11-1987
Debut Round 12 2007
Games Goals
2012 8 2012 0
Career 54 Career 16
Dreamteam Points
2012 588 Go to Dream Team
The Player - Possesses remarkable endurance and a damaging left boot that belies his status as a late convert to the game. Has looked most comfortable when playing as a rebounding back flanker, but has the capacity to shut down opposition small forwards. Achieved some remarkable results in 2007 and will look to return to his best this season after two years out of the game.

2011
Continued to play for Down, but after a series of discussions with new Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, Clarke decided to return to the Magpies for the 2012 season. Talk in the newspapers had Carlton sniffing around in an attempt to list him, but Clarke stayed loyal to Collingwood and was pre-listed and then traded by Greater Western Sydney (along with Jamie Elliott and pick No. 67) for selection No. 25.

2010
Returned to County Down and regained touch halfway through the year after a slow start. His team reached the All-Ireland final with Cork. Down lost by one point.

2009
Began well, with 20 touches and two goals in the round one loss to the Crows at the MCG. Had 26 disposals in the win over Brisbane in round four, but from then on his returns began to diminish and his impact on the game began to fade. His final game for the year was in round 12 against Sydney where he began his career two years prior. He had only seven possessions and was omitted the following week.

He was granted leave to Ireland for a week to celebrate his sister’s wedding. Although he battled hard in the VFL, and was named as an emergency in four matches, Clarke decided to quit the club and return to Ireland for 2010.

2008
Made a slow start to his second season. Found only eight possessions in round one meaning he was confined to the VFL for the next fortnight. Steadily found form and by mid-year was playing consistent football.

His season highlight was his performance against Geelong in round nine, when he gathered 28 possessions, laid three tackles and kicked a long goal on the run to break Geelong’s spirits. Was regularly winning over 20 disposals as he ran into September and produced on the big stage, gathering 20 possessions and goaling in the come-from-behind win over Adelaide in the elimination final. Hit the scoreboard again but was quieter against St Kilda seven days later.

2007
Having never played Australian Football, Clarke was expected to make slow progress in his first season. Instead, he blew all expectations out of the water with a superb debut season that shocked the competition.

He made steady progress for Williamstown in the VFL playing in the back pocket, prompting a promotion to the senior team for the trip to Sydney in round 12. He again surprised, winning 20 disposals in defence and laying four tackles. He proved it was no fluke against Hawthorn at a packed Docklands Stadium the following week when he had 19 possessions and kicked three goals in a pressure-cooker atmosphere.

He earned an AFL Rising Star nomination for his work, and continued to make progress as the year progressed playing mainly at half back and occasionally in the centre. Clarke excelled in September, contributing to wins over Sydney and West Coast before being named as one of the best on the ground in the unforgettable preliminary final loss to Geelong (21 disposals, four marks).

He had entrenched himself in the senior side by year’s end, with his long left foot and ability to break the lines when running from defence meaning that he represented a unique prospect at only 19 years of age.

2006
Trialled with Collingwood late in the season, blowing the coaching staff away with his fitness and dedication. His work prompted assistant coach Guy McKenna to label him ‘the Irish Nathan Buckley’. The 19-year-old Clarke agreed to sign with the Pies, and was drafted to Collingwood with selection No. 40 in the Rookie Draft.

Debut
Round 12 2007 v Sydney at Sydney Olympic Park.

Draft History
2006 AFL Rookie Draft 3rd round selection (Collingwood) No. 40 overall; 2007 rookie elevation (Collingwood);
2009 retired;
2011 AFL Draft traded by Greater Western Sydney (with Jamie Elliott and pick 67) for pick 25.

At a Glance

  • Junior Clubs: County Down (Ireland)
  • Clubs: Collingwood (2007-2009)
  • Debut: Round 12 2007
  • Recruited from: Ireland
  • AFL Awards: AFL Rising Star Nomination (round 13) 2007.
  • Club Awards:
  • Brownlow Votes:
Disposals Marks Stoppages Frees General play Scoring
 
1
L 137 - 115
10
3
13
4
0
0
1
4
0
0
2
W 85 - 64
11
8
19
4
0
2
0
2
0
0
3
L 122 - 62
12
8
20
6
0
0
0
1
0
0
4
W 97 - 73
15
5
20
6
0
0
1
6
0
1
5
W 80 - 79
9
4
13
3
0
0
1
1
0
0
6
W 77 - 98
14
12
26
1
0
0
0
4
0
0
7
W 58 - 116
12
12
24
6
0
1
0
3
0
0
8
W 96 - 84
9
8
17
3
0
2
0
3
0
0

News

Watch The B&W Show: Marty on the Mums

It's a Mother's Day special on 'The Black and White Show' this week with Marty Clarke the host.Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 4:56PM

Depth pleases Buckley

Collingwood coach pleased with the way his younger players are stepping up in the absence of several big namesWednesday, April 25, 2012 - 7:25PM

The Club: Marty Clarke in studio

Irish Magpie Marty Clarke told The Club about the impact of his new coach Nathan Buckley and the challenges of returning to Australia.Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - 9:32PM

Irish Marty's happy returns

Greater maturity and an appreciation for the job has made Martin Clarke determined to make the most of his second stint with CollingwoodWednesday, April 04, 2012 - 2:35PM

Irish Pies are smiling

Irish Magpies Martin Clarke and Caolan Mooney bring a touch of brogue to CTV.Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - 3:31PM

Video

News Update: Martin Clarke

Martin Clarke speaks about returning to Ireland, saying hell miss the fans. Hear his thoughts and see highlightsThursday, September 24, 2009 - 5:06PM

Feature: Players visit East Preston Islamic College

OBrien, Clarke, Wellingham, Rounds and other players visit East Preston Islamic College for a clinicTuesday, June 16, 2009 - 3:49PM

The Black and White Show: Leon Davis

Leon Davis chats with Travis Cloke, Heath Shaw, Martin Clarke, Scott Pendlebury, Brad Dick and Gavin Brown on this weeks episodeThursday, June 11, 2009 - 1:18PM

Feature: Year 11s ask the questions - Clarke, Brown, Wellingham

We pass the CTV mic over to year 11 students at Yeshivah College and let Wellingham, Clarke and Brown face the tough questionsWednesday, May 27, 2009 - 9:22AM

Feature:Pies back to school: Clarke, Wellingham, Brown

Martin Clarke, Sharrod Wellingham and Nathan Brown hold a clinic at Yeshivah CollegeTuesday, May 26, 2009 - 4:21PM

Career statistics (total):

Year Mt K KE% H HE% D DE% CP CP% UP UP% M G B T Br
2007
12
115
75.7 85 83.5 200 79.0 82 41.6 115 58.4 61 3 4 18 0
2008 22 250 76.8 124 83.9 374 79.1 104 29.3 251 70.7 107 9 5 53 0
2009 12 137 69.3 80 87.5 217 75.6 65 31.1 144 68.9 49 4 6 34 0
Total
46 502
74.5 289
84.8
791
78.1
251
33.0
510
67.0
217
16
15
105
0

Career statistics (averages):

Year Mt K KE% H HE% D DE% CP CP% UP UP% M G B T Br
2007 12 9.6 75.7 7.1 83.5 16.7 79.0 6.8 41.6 9.6 58.4 5.1 0.3 0.3 1.5 0
2008 22 11.4 76.8 5.6 83.9 17.0 79.1 4.7 29.3 11.4 70.7 4.9 0.4 0.2 2.4 0
2009
12
11.4
69.3
6.7
87.5
18.1
75.6
5.4
31.1
12.0
68.9
4.1
0.3
0.5
2.8
0
Total
46
10.9
74.5
6.3
84.8
17.2
78.1 5.5
33.0
11.1
67.0
4.7
0.3
0.3
2.3
0

No Data Available

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