Malthouse ‘hopeful’ of Marty

AUSTRALIAN International Rules coach Mick Malthouse is ‘very hopeful’ that Down star Marty Clarke will return to Melbourne to resume his AFL career.

The Collingwood boss met up with former star Clarke at Thursday night’s reception for the Irish and Australian squads in Limerick City Hall.

Malthouse, whose side won the 2010 Grand Final, admitted: “We’re very hopeful (that he will return). Life’s like that, things change around. He’s a wonderful player. I met him on Thursday night which was great. I spent as much time as I possibly could with him. Whenever I went away from talking to him, Dane Swan took over.”

Clarke revealed that he had enjoyed catching up with former teammates.

“It was good to get to talk to them again. Especially after the year they had, it was exciting and I just wanted to congratulate them.”

Clarke remained coy about his prospects of returning to the AFL but Malthouse revealed he has been monitoring the All-Star’s progress throughout 2010 as he played an integral role in helping Down reach the All-Ireland decider.

“I’ve kept an eye on him, make no mistake about that. I can tell you every kick he had. But players come and players go. The competition always survives the player, the AFL will keep existing.”

Meanwhile, Australia captain Adam Goodes believes his Sydney Swans teammate Tadhg Kennelly may have extended his AFL career by opting out of the code last year. Kennelly returned to Ireland for a season and played a key role in the Kingdom’s All-Ireland SFC success before heading back to Australia in February.

Goodes said: “Coming back and having the year back here in Ireland did a lot for him. He showed this year that if we keep him fit he can play for another three or four seasons. He helped us push towards another Finals Series.”

Carlow’s Brendan Murphy, Tyrone’s Kyle Coney and Derry’s Chrissy McKaigue are other Irish players to have had stints with the Swans and Goodes has been impressed with the attitude of the club’s Irish recruits.

“I just think it is their determination. They are taking a big risk, coming to Australia but they are willing to learn and push that extra distance. They have risked a lot more than us Aussie players do when we come to a football club. “Their desire to be the best that they can be is something I have seen with every Irish player that has come over to the Sydney Swans.”

Picture: Mick Malthouse calls the shots during Aussie squad training ahead of their first International Rules match against Ireland today. Pic: Alan Place / SPORTSFILE