Australian Rules: Collingwood has had early success with Down's Martin Clarke, who played his first Aussie Rules match against Tadhg Kennelly's Sydney Swans at the weekend.

Clarke's performance was so impressive that he is now in contention to emulate Laois' Colm Begley, who played in last year's pre-season NAB Cup competition after less than three months in Australia.

"He is highly intelligent and as brave as they come," said Collingwood coach Michael Malthouse. "He has mastered virtually everything we have said to him."

Assistant coach Gavin Brown said: "He was probably the standout from the point of view that he had never played a game of Aussie rules before. He has an enormous will and he put in a lot of hard work. The match was fantastic for him, a good step.

"After his performance, he has certainly put himself in contention (for NAB Cup selection this week), no doubt about that."