Since returning from Ireland, Marty Clarke’s last two years have followed a similar pattern. He started both seasons in the senior side in round one and was a regular member of the first choice team until the midway point of the year. In those two years, Clarke has played only six games after round 11, all of which came in 2012. It has left him a little frustrated on the sidelines and eager to reverse the trend in 2014. “Round 10 was my last game for the seniors up in Brisbane and it’s definitely a long time ago now,” Clarke told CTV. “It was a very frustrating end of the year, not being able to force my way back into the seniors and that being compounded by my injury and my season was over.” Watch the full interview with Marty Clarke on CTV in the media player above. The injury Clarke speaks of was sustained against Williamstown while playing for the VFL Magpies in August last year. Although he was able to limp off the field at the time, scans later revealed the full extent of the damage. He had sustained damage to the medial ligament in his ankle and required season-ending surgery. Clarke says the nature of his injury meant he had to tread carefully through his rehabilitation, but he’s already capable of lining up in next month’s NAB Challenge. “We weren’t sure how it went,” he explained. “It’s apparently quite a rare injury to rupture the medial side; most ankle injuries are on the lateral side of the ankle. We didn’t know what to expect or how long it would be. “Pre-season NAB Cup (Challenge), when I did it, was potentially (what) we were going to be able to play but now I’m absolutely able to play and I’m delighted to hear that.” The medical staff’s positive prognosis follows on from another good news story for the Irishman, who became engaged to his long-term girlfriend, Anna, during an off-season trip back home. “The off-season probably came at a good time for me,” he admits. “I was frustrated and still dealing with the ankle injury and went back home during that time. It was a great release for me. It really freshened me right up and I came back ready to train. “When I was back home I got engaged to my long-term girlfriend so we’re getting married in October now, so I joined a few of the boys in those stakes with a few fiancés around the place at the minute. “That’s brilliant, I’m really excited about that.” With the ups and downs of the last two years now firmly behind him, Clarke will be hoping to carry the positive momentum of recent months into the NAB Challenge and beyond.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 12:11:05 +0000
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