Collingwood Forever

Biography

The Irishman was one of the most remarkable tales of the year when he surpassed all expectations in his first season.

Originally on the rookie list, he played a mighty first game against Sydney and seemed totally unflustered by the fact that he had no background in the game at all. He finished the year brilliantly in the hard-fought preliminary final against Geelong. In 2008 he started slowly after a limited off-season, but still managed to be an effective runner off the wing or half-back flank. He wrote “NI” and “HM” on his arm before every game to represent Northern Ireland and home. He had originally tried out with Brisbane who rejected him prematurely.

When he returned home in the 2007-08 summer his local club asked him down for a training run and suddenly he found himself playing again and was part of the small club’s first premiership.

In 2009 he lost his senior place in mid-season and returned home at the end of the year. After missing two years he returned and played 17 games in his first year back, but after retaining his spot in the first half of 2013 he slipped out of the side and then injured an ankle at the end of the year.

Clarke began the 2014 season in the senior side but lost his place after the opening round, spending much of the year battling Addison’s disease. He announced his retirement at year’s end and returned to Ireland.