The Mitch Clark Thread

[Jordie_tackles 354]

I didnt see how him Jamar and Martin would fit in together. And i know some people arnt worried about Martin but i thought he was amazing this year.

Mitch played his best season when he was the number one ruck when Leunberger was injured, that was his breakout much like stef this year and hasnt been the same playing 50/50 ever since.

I dont see him as the forward line option either, just over a goal a game 1.3 or something?

If we did get him, i wouldnt complain obviously a reason

[beelzebub 23,242]

If were after him... then it begs the question: as what ?

[Dr. Gonzo 23,888]

Would you include Steph Martin in the trade? Our first round plus Steph for their second round ?

Yes.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

If were after him... then it begs the question: as what ?

yeah i was going to add, what does this mean the FD's opinion is of stef after this year?

[beelzebub 23,242]

Its pure 'whatever' but possibly the FD see Steph more as a defender and Clark then in a forward role. Both can supplement the rucking or take it as second up in their respective domains..

All conjecture I concede.

p.s

I'll add and it apllies almost across the lineup, its no longer set in cement. Neeld is more than likely to recast some players into differing roles so we might all have to take a step back in some instances as the who and where on the ground may not be who we think anymore.

Edited October 13, 2011 by belzebub59

[Yokozuna 1,004]

Steph had a very good year this year but he is a very different player to Clarke.

Clarke is more physical and strong marking whilst Steph is more of an athlete who is slowly learning the game.

I would not say no to Clarke, as we can do with a large body in the forward line and the fact he can move into the ruck is an advantage.

If you dont rate Clarke, I think you may need to go and watch some replays of him as a player.

I would trade him for our first pick if we could upgrade our second pick in the process somehow.

[The Chazz 4,077]

If were after him... then it begs the question: as what ?

yeah i was going to add, what does this mean the FD's opinion is of stef after this year?

I'm amazed at the questions raised about getting rid of MArtin, as well as B59's question about what we would have in mind for Clark (or Martin - not sure which player you were asking about).

I have said many times about looking at the premiership teams of the past 2 decades, and in particulr, how many big guys they have in the ruck-forward division.

I laugh, the majority on here are crying out for a big bodied forward, then as soon as one gets mentioned, we look at getting rid of one of our other big bodied rucks/forwards. Definitely calls for this one ---->

[Arrow 1,257]

Confirmed somewhere? or is that your opinion?

Sorry not confirmed but given Freo have traded up to have 2 picks inside the top 20 to on-trade the deal has to be done.

Read over some articles about him and it's all about his family illnesses his grandma dying of cancer etc; he won't go anywhere unless its Perth.

I'm upset because he would have been great but for the first time in many years I'm impressed by the work of the MFC in having a dip.

Our name is getting out there and we're in with a shot with these big players. I can't force the players to come to the club but I can force the club to do it's best to try and get them. That to me is what they are doing.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Sorry not confirmed but given Freo have traded up to have 2 picks inside the top 20 to on-trade the deal has to be done.

Read over some articles about him and it's all about his family illnesses his grandma dying of cancer etc; he won't go anywhere unless its Perth.

I'm upset because he would have been great but for the first time in many years I'm impressed by the work of the MFC in having a dip.

Our name is getting out there and we're in with a shot with these big players. I can't force the players to come to the club but I can force the club to do it's best to try and get them. That to me is what they are doing.

All we can do is have a crack and thats what we are doing.

[simma02 53]

Honestly, can we now just concentrate on a deal that we maybe able to land? It was always going to be a long shot getting him and to be honest I'm not convinced on him anyway. We need a key forward - his best position is in the ruck, not as a forward. It seems like we've wasted a lot of time so far in trade week.

Edited October 13, 2011 by simma02

[Ouch! 2,215]

Heard Wallace on SEN about 5 minutes ago, reckons that even with the upgraded pick that Melb is up to their eyeballs in it (his words not mine)

Reckons that Freo won't get the trade done with either of the picks... and they need to on trade these to get a pick lower than 16... Brisbane frustrated with Freo, and there is no chance that he will get there thru draft/pre-season draft.

I still reckon we will miss out as Freo will come to the party, but it would be nice to know that Melb threw everything at it to try and get it done. Rawlings flew up last night to talk to him apparently, so we must be keen.

[beelzebub 23,242]

I'm amazed at the questions raised about getting rid of MArtin, as well as B59's question about what we would have in mind for Clark (or Martin - not sure which player you were asking about).

? Is it so taken as read that theres a specific role for Mitch. hes more reknown for rucking than as a forward. But we need a key forward. We looked at Cambell to fill a similar void with similar credentials , but we're still none the wiser.

I dont know exactly what teh FD want Mitch for . Do you ?

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I'm amazed at the questions raised about getting rid of MArtin, as well as B59's question about what we would have in mind for Clark (or Martin - not sure which player you were asking about).

I have said many times about looking at the premiership teams of the past 2 decades, and in particulr, how many big guys they have in the ruck-forward division.

I laugh, the majority on here are crying out for a big bodied forward, then as soon as one gets mentioned, we look at getting rid of one of our other big bodied rucks/forwards. Definitely calls for this one ---->

Is Martin a big bodied forward?

I have nothing against Stef Martin I only suggested the trade, which in my opinion would be an upgrade for us, because you have to give a bit to get a bit.

We can talk all day about trades but if all we come up with is "Warnock for last year's Brownlow Winner" than we might as well keep out of it.

[The Chazz 4,077]

? Is it so taken as read that theres a specific role for Mitch. hes more reknown for rucking than as a forward. But we need a key forward. We looked at Cambell to fill a similar void with similar credentials , but we're still none the wiser.

I dont know exactly what teh FD want Mitch for . Do you ?

I don't know exactly what they have M Clark ear-marked for, but from an uneducated perspective, we have been told by the club that we would like a KPF, Clark is such player (I believe he is a far better KPF than ruckman - I watch him very closely as he is a friend of a friend), we have expressed an interest, so reading between the lines, perhaps that KPF hole that we have might be what we are aiming for with Clark.

I'm assuming you are referring to Robbie Campbell? We recruited him, on the rookie list, as more of a development coach for our younger talls, not to fill that void that we wanted Hale to do.

[Tap..Tap..Tappy.. 2]

if we get him he has to sign a long term deal at least 4 years. He is 25 years old

and homesick I wouldn't be putting all my eggs in this basket.

He'd be a good get but I think we are only being stated as an option to motivate Fremantle.

What happens then with Martin.

He is actually 23yrs old! Will be 24yrs old in a few days...

Seems like he has been around forever, but i am skeptical that he has always stated now and previously that he wanted to move back to WA.....so not sure about this one....If he agrees to come to Melbourne it would be somewhat of a coup that's for sure...

[Demon Disciple 11,803]

Heard Wallace on SEN about 5 minutes ago, reckons that even with the upgraded pick that Melb is up to their eyeballs in it (his words not mine)

Reckons that Freo won't get the trade done with either of the picks... and they need to on trade these to get a pick lower than 16... Brisbane frustrated with Freo, and there is no chance that he will get there thru draft/pre-season draft.

I still reckon we will miss out as Freo will come to the party, but it would be nice to know that Melb threw everything at it to try and get it done. Rawlings flew up last night to talk to him apparently, so we must be keen.

That's what i'm thinking. If Rawlings went up and spoke to him and was told he's not interested, why on earth would we make a play for him? Maybe Clark would be happy to come to us, should the Freo deal fall through.

[Mac7 309]

No way we are trading Stef.

He just had a break out season and we have plenty of picks to play with!!

[Dr. Gonzo 23,888]

Is Martin a big bodied forward?

I have nothing against Stef Martin I only suggested the trade, which in my opinion would be an upgrade for us, because you have to give a bit to get a bit.

We can talk all day about trades but if all we come up with is "Warnock for last year's Brownlow Winner" than we might as well keep out of it.

Exactly. Martin showed definite improvement this year but still needs to improve further if he is to become a pivotal player. Will his improvement continue? It's hard to say. We may end up holding onto him another few years and he doesn't get any better than he showed this year. He is an athlete trying to play football whereas I see Clark as a pure footballer. Sometimes you have to take a punt and I would take the risk that Martin played at his top level this year and won't improve much beyond that therefore its best to trade him now while his currency is at its peak rather than try to offload him in a couple of years when we wouldn't get much for him.

Also I think Martin can only really play in the ruck. I don't see him as a forward as he doesn't have the natural kjicking technique or read of the game. He may be able to go down back to take on the gorillas like Cloke and the resting ruckman as this is one position I still think we need to fill. However if not I would be more than happy to trade him if it meant getting in Clark considering we still have Jamar and Gawn as rucks with Spencer as a back-up.

Edited October 13, 2011 by Dr. Gonzo

[beelzebub 23,242]

I don't know exactly what they have M Clark ear-marked for, but from an uneducated perspective, we have been told by the club that we would like a KPF, Clark is such player (I believe he is a far better KPF than ruckman - I watch him very closely as he is a friend of a friend), we have expressed an interest, so reading between the lines, perhaps that KPF hole that we have might be what we are aiming for with Clark.

I'm assuming you are referring to Robbie Campbell? We recruited him, on the rookie list, as more of a development coach for our younger talls, not to fill that void that we wanted Hale to do.

Ill take it as most likely that Clark is to fill a fwd role. . Campbells now fulfillign more of a mentoring role but that was supposed to be icing on a cake..not the cake. He WAS earmarked as the tall forward back up ruck, exactly what Calrk is assumed to fill..

Not trying to be smart alec or devil adv about allthis.. just we all jump to conclusions.and I bet Harrington, Predergast and Neeld ( &co) have a particualr mould in mind and probably not quite what we have all imagined.. We wont know till a team takes to the field in 012

[The Chazz 4,077]

Is Martin a big bodied forward?

I have nothing against Stef Martin I only suggested the trade, which in my opinion would be an upgrade for us, because you have to give a bit to get a bit.

We can talk all day about trades but if all we come up with is "Warnock for last year's Brownlow Winner" than we might as well keep out of it.

I see Martin as a Big Bodied Forward. Barry Prendegast sees him as one too. Unfortunately to date, he hasn't had 6 or 7 consecutive games in the position to prove one way or another.

I would've thought giving one of our compo picks for Clark would've been sufficient. Brisbane have not indicated that they want a player in return, and are happy to receive a decent 1st round pick.

[Redleg 40,370]

Obviously if they can get Clark the need for Lisle is gone. Tommy Walsh maybe, if for nothing. Clark can ruck and play forward and can kick goals. If he decides to come to us and that is the big "if", from what Wallace said, it sounds like we will get him as the Lions are wanting to deal with us. The other factor is that the club that set this up Freo can be thwarted and the Lions show that they are not pushovers.

[dbj1983 138]

Do the deal!

[beelzebub 23,242]

Interesting comment; "Brisbane welcomes Melbournes interest in Mitch Clark"

ahh the thick plottens !! lol

[Redleg 40,370]

Obviously if they can get Clark the need for Lisle is gone. Tommy Walsh maybe, if for nothing. Clark can ruck and play forward and can kick goals. If he decides to come to us and that is the big "if", from what Wallace said, it sounds like we will get him as the Lions are wanting to deal with us. The other factor is that the club that set this up Freo can be thwarted and the Lions show that they are not pushovers.

Forgot to say that the deal could be sweetened with Warnock.

[Demonator 93]

Forgot to say that the deal could be sweetened with Warnock.

Yeah, I like the sound of that!