Clarke itching to go: McKenna

Collingwood assistant coach Guy McKenna has declared Irish debutant Martin Clarke ready to make the quantum leap to the AFL less than a year after picking up a football for the first time.

The 19-year-old rookie boarded a plane with his Magpie team-mates on Friday afternoon bound for Sydney to tackle the Swans in Saturday night's blockbuster clash at Telstra Stadium.

The fresh-faced Irishman, described as an 'elite runner' by McKenna, has impressed at VFL level in his first season of football and racked up 28 possessions for Williamstown last week.

"The good thing is when debutants have come in they have earned their spot," McKenna said at Melbourne Airport on Friday.

"Injuries allow that to happen, certainly with senior players, but most of the kids we have brought in have come in with some form and they're ready to play."

"They've certainly shown that by their appetite when they have played their first game. We're hoping Marty will be the same this week."

Clake, a 182cm dasher, was one of the Collingwood's most impressive performers on their last trip to the Harbour City.

"He was probably our second best defender when we played Sydney in the 15-a-side game up there when we get beaten (in the pre-season)," McKenna said.

"He's really just bided his time and he's still honing his skills and will continue to do so like any AFL footballer has done from his first game to his last."

"He's excited and we're certainly excited for him."

In a twist of fate fellow Irishman Tadhg Kennelly will not line up for the Swans because of a knee injury.

Clarke is expected to get a taste of home in Sydney with a wet and wintry night forecast.

"Our style of football under Mick's (Malthouse) coaching regime allows us to play one-on-one contested footy. If the ground is a bit wet and tacky, I don't think it favours us because Sydney play that style of footy pretty well, but it certainly keeps it on an even keel," McKenna said.

Saturday's match begins a tricky month of football for the fifth-placed Magpies.

After the trip to Sydney they return home to play Geelong, Hawthorn and St Kilda.

"Our next month is certainly going to determine a fair bit of where we are going to go towards the end of the season," McKenna said.