Published Friday, 14 October 2011
In an exclusive interview with UTV's Colm McAlinden, Clarke admitted that it wasn't an easy decision to walk away from the GAA.
"I think some of the hardest decisions come when you are weighing up two positives", Clarke said.
"It was a very tough decision but it has been made now and I'm committed to it and I'm excited about the next three years, as that is the length of the contract."
I have had a brilliant two years back here and the chance came up again for me to go back over to Australia.
Martin Clarke
Clarke also paid tribute to the players he trained and played with at both club and county level during his two years on home soil.
"Some of the players I have played with - boys like Benny Coulter in particular, and others like Danny Hughes, Kevin McKernan, Mark Poland and Ambrose Rogers as well - just all great players and athletes to train and play alongside week in, week out.
"They are all just great memories, every training and every game, and I am delighted to have gotten a chance to play alongside those players."
"As for the club, they have been brilliant, they have only had positive things to say - (being back) with all the lads again has just been brilliant and it is something I will definitely miss."
Clarke first signed with the Melbourne AFL side in 2006 as an international rookie, and was quickly elevated to the Magpies senior squad, playing in the midfield and half-back line before deciding to return home to the Mournes.
The 23-year-old admits that he faces a different challenge in his second spell at Collingwood than when he first arrived at the club.
"I think Collingwood are at a different level now altogether and I think I will have to prove myself to a lot of people.
"Nathan Buckley the coach and Derek Hine the recruitment officer have a lot of faith in me, but I'm sure I will have to prove myself to a lot of the fans and a lot of my team-mates that I'm good enough to get on the team now.
"But I know it's what I want now, and I know that if I want something bad enough and work hard enough then usually I'll be able to get it so you know, It's a big challenge but it's one that I'm up for and I'm hopeful that I can get back in the team at some stage next year."