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.”