CLARKE'S ON AGENDA FOR CATS SWITCH.Byline: AHMER KHOKHAR GEELONG recruiting manager Stephen Wells has revealed the Cats could attempt to entice Martin Clarke Martin was an outstanding Gaelic football talent. into making a shock return to Australia with the AFL AFL: see American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. champions this winter. Geelong, who won their second Australian Rules Premiership in three seasons last weekend, are one of the five clubs affiliated to Australian players' agent Ricky Nixon's scouting network. Wells said whilst Clarke's departure from Collingwood after three seasons was understandable for homesickness reasons, an Irish player of the Down superstar's ability was a big loss to Aussie rules. "Its not impossible that we will speak to Martin if he wants to return to the AFL," said Wells. "Martin proved his ability at Collingwood and he's an exceptional talent. "We are going to sit down and plan our off-season recruiting strategy in a fortnight's time and one item on the agenda will be what we are going to do about recruiting Irish players. "We've never recruited any Gaelic footballers before but with the likes of Colm Begley Begley was scouted by the Lions football manager Graeme Allan, along with several other potential recruits during a training and Setanta O hAilpin coming off contract in the next few weeks its gives us the opportunity to find out a lot more." Meanwhile, Nixon confirmed that Kerry stars Tommy Walsh
Tommy Walsh (born 1956 in London) is an English celebrity builder. He attended Parmiter's School, then in Bethnal Green. and Dave Moran will fly out to Australia for extended trials with Grand Final runnersup Saint Kilda in November. Walsh spent a weekon trial with the Saints last year but his late arrival exceeded the AFL end-of-season recruiting deadline. "Saints won't make the same mistake twice," said Nixon. COOLEY Kickhams footballer Brian Donnelly
Donnelly was trained as a teacher, and worked in the education sector for twenty years. is looking forward to returning to Australia to complete his two-year international rookie contract from AFL side Adelaide Crows in 2010. Donnelly struggled to make an impact in his debut season prompting recruiting manager Matthew Rendall to reconsider his future. But the Louthman never gave up, and towards the end of the season impressed his coaches with a series of solid displays, which earned the respect of both his team-mates and opponents. CAPTION(S): SWITCH Martin Clarke TRIAL Tommy Walsh |
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