FORMER Collingwood defender Marty Clarke has accepted a part-time role with the AFL to mentor Gaelic football prospects in his native Ireland.
Clarke, who played 73 games for the Magpies across two stints from 2007-09 and 2012-14, has been a coach at the past few European Combines in Dublin, but the Northern Irishman will now take on an increased role in developing and helping local prospects make the transition to Australian football.
Clarke also escorted 2018 prospects Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, Mark Keane, Anton Tohill and James Madden to the AFL Academy camp in Florida in January.
"The position will be an expansion of my role here of developing players who have been identified as potential AFL players," Clarke told AFL.com.au.
"It will be up to me to meet the boys, maintain a relationship with them, conduct a couple of training sessions and watch game footage with them."
Some sections of the Gaelic Athletic Association, the amateur sport's governing body, have been unhappy with AFL clubs luring their star youngsters Down Under with the promise of professional careers.
Clarke believes the angst is unwarranted, as the recruitment numbers are small, and he and several other Irishmen have returned to their home counties much better players than when they left the Emerald Isle.
The 30-year-old points to Michael Quinn (Essendon), Caolan Mooney (Collingwood) and Daniel Flynn (Port Adelaide), who are now stars of Gaelic football.
"The statistics are there that the boys that go out to Australia are only a tiny percentage of registered GAA players, and in the last 30 years, there's only been 50 prospects come over," Clarke said.
"The vast majority of those boys have come back within three years and are bigger and better players for their clubs and counties.
"And AFL clubs know it's very high risk to take on an Irish boy, but the chance of getting a Zach Tuohy, Tadhg Kennelly, Jim Stynes and Pearce Hanley is a great temptation."
Clarke will now take a more hands-on approach with the latest group of prospects that were identified by Ireland-based scouts and prepare them for a possible invitation to the NAB AFL Draft Combine in October.
"I'll be catching up with them to take eight to 10 group sessions, but they'll keeping an eye on the AFL season and keeping themselves up to date with the everything that's happening," Clarke said.
"They'll also be keen to see how the Irish boys are going.
"They had a great experience in America and are keen to get picked up by a club, so hopefully they get drafted in November."
