Collingwood would welcome Clarke return

MARTIN CLARKE’S former Collingwood team-mates will sound the Down playmaker out about the possibility of returning to the AFL when they visit Ireland as part of the Australian international rules squad next month.

The Australian team is coached by Collingwood boss Mick Malthouse, but the Pies do not want to put any pressure on Clarke, who gave a strong indication this week that he would not be heading back to Oz.

Collingwood have successfully lobbied the AFL to change a rule so that it would facilitate Clarke’s direct return to the most famous club in Aussie rules without affecting any of its draft picks.