Click here to watch Martin Clarke's post-game interview on CTV
Martin Clarke spoke to CTV in the rooms after tasting finals success for the first time on Saturday night.
Elevated from the rookie list mid-season following the long-term injury to John Anthony, Clarke has enjoyed a stunning rise to prominence in his debut AFL campaign, with Saturday night’s triumph over the Swans just his 10th senior outing.
Shortly after singing the song, Clarke was still buzzing after the Magpies’ brutally disposed of the 2005 premiers by 38 points in front of more than 64,000.
“It’s brilliant. We’ve never sung the song with as much passion since I’ve got here,” Clarke said. “It was a magnificent win against a great team. ‘Harder for longer’ is our motto, and we stuck to that tonight and got a magnificent win.”
The young Irishman had five kicks and 11 handpasses running off half back and through the midfield, but it was the composure and skill level he displayed under the intense pressure of a finals battle that was most impressive.
While the increased intensity of a September encounter was something Clarke admitted to noticing, even he, as a 19-year-old who was only introduced to AFL football a little over 12 months ago, seemed to be unfazed by the experience.
“There was a big build up during the week and people said it’s faster and more intense and I didn’t think how it could be possible, but it certainly went up a gear tonight.
“It was win at all costs, more even than rounds 1 to 22. The boys were magnificent tonight, every single player. It’s just such a good feeling to get a win.”
Collingwood was in control for most of the night and looked set to blast the Swans away when the margin blew out to 34 points midway through the second quarter. But the visitors rallied to within 10-points at the main break, and with considerably more finals experience than the Magpies, the second half was always going to be tough.
But Clarke said the feeling in the rooms at half time was that the Magpies always maintained belief in their ability, and it proved telling in the end.
“We knew we were fit enough and as good as any team going around. Sydney were obviously going to keep coming, but we were going to match them and go better than them, and that’s what we proved to do.
“We just worked hard, and thankfully we got the scores.”
Now the Magpies will travel west for another knockout final against the reigning premiers next Friday night.
“We’ll enjoy the victory for now and then get focused back in the Lexus Centre, probably Monday morning, to see what we’re going to do against West Coast, but we’ll give it everything, and that’s what’s got us this far.”
