ACE BEGLEY IS BACKED TO SUCCEED.

Byline: AHMER KHOKHAR

LEIGH Matthews, one of the most respected name in Australian Rules football, has urged Laois man Colm Begley to be patient in his quest for senior honours with table-toppers Saint Kilda in the AFL this season.

Begley was recruited by the Saints on draft deadline day last year, after three injury interrupted seasons at Matthews's former team the Brisbane Lions.

However, he is still waiting to make his senior debut, with the Saints unbeaten in their opening nine matches this term.

"Colm adds something to the Saint Kilda group and whether he is in their best 22 depends on him and how the other defenders above him are playing at the time," Matthews said.

"But I certainly think he's one of those players who has proved his ability to be a regular part of the Saint Kilda team.

"It's not been easy for Colm to make the decision to leave his family and friends behind in Ireland to play professionally across the other side of the world, but he's stuck at it despite his previous injury problems.

"He's certainly good enough to play in the AFL, as he proved when I coached the Lions, so I hope he gets an opportunity with the Saints."

Meanwhile, controversial agent Ricky Nixon has surprisingly extended an olive branch to the GAA by claiming to support a restriction on the number of young Gaelic footballers being poached by AFL scouts.

"The GAA are saying [AFL] clubs are going over there willy-nilly, meeting players, ringing them, holding trials, taking them to Australia and the county or club doesn't know," Nixon said.

"Before they know it, their next superstar, who was going to lead them to the All-Ireland final, is on a plane to Australia and they are really unhappy about it.

"AFL recruiters should tell counties when they approach players and there should be some rules on how many blokes can be recruited from Ireland."

CAPTION(S):

MUST BE PATIENT Laois man Colm Begley OLIVE BRANCH AFL agent Ricky Nixon