Speaking on The Club on Wednesday night, Clarke said that the new coach enjoyed the complete support of the entire playing list.
“I’ve been in the club every day this week, and I certainly haven’t been aware of any rift between players and Nathan,” said Clarke.
“Before I came down here (to Australia), the newspapers just write a match report and maybe a player profile every now and then but over here they seem to be able to question players and coaches character and it certainly isn’t true on this occasion because everyone’s totally behind Nathan and he’s behind his players.”
The 24-year-old also explained his decision to leave the club and return home to Ireland at the end of the 2009 season.
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Clarke admitted that he never shut the door on continuing his Australian Football career at Collingwood in his two year sabbatical.
“I have a lot of family and my girlfriend was back there as well, and I suppose at that stage I really wanted to go back and spend time with them and play Gaelic football.
“When I left, I always had it in my mind that there was a good chance I would come back out because I was still very young and thankfully it has worked out.
“I had a wonderful two years back there, but I’m very fortunate now to get a chance to come back and play at Collingwood”.
The decision to spend two years in his homeland meant Clarke’s status as a professional sportsperson was shelved in favour of a day job.
“I was doing coaching in primary schools and I tried my hand at a few other things and then when you retired in the evening your free time was actually the football which is a very high level back home as well,” he reflected.
“I think it’s been great to come back and have your job to get up and your spare time’s your spare time and your football’s your job. It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m certainly very grateful for it.”
