All I got from a snippet on the news was that he won't be seeing him before the first few rounds of the season.

All I got from a snippet on the news was that he won't be seeing him before the first few rounds of the season.

Not surprised I will be surprised if we see him in the seniors before June.

He had serious foot injury, it always looked like he would be out for 12 months IMO.

Why rush him it will not cost us playing finals in 2013 and we need him firing in the next few years not rounds 1 -8 of 2013.

Not surprised I will be surprised if we see him in the seniors before June.

He had serious foot injury, it always looked like he would be out for 12 months IMO.

Why rush him it will not cost us playing finals in 2013 and we need him firing in the next few years not rounds 1 -8 of 2013.

You see, this is where you've got to change your thinking. He will be back by the second half of the season in time to regain match fitness before playing in at least one final in 2013.

C'mom OD, you've got to switch on and think positive. Rid yourself of these lingering doubts. The past is gone and done. Look to the future and see the light brother.

OPTIMISM... POSITIVITY... FAITH... FINALS

Go DEES!

Not surprised I will be surprised if we see him in the seniors before June.

He had serious foot injury, it always looked like he would be out for 12 months IMO.

Why rush him it will not cost us playing finals in 2013 and we need him firing in the next few years not rounds 1 -8 of 2013.

Yes I think for membership he is telling people who go to training he is itching for round 1, but surely he must be months away.

All I got from a snippet on the news was that he won't be seeing him before the first few rounds of the season.

I'd imagine he would mean you wont see him in the NAB Cup. As publicly stated, he has always aimed for Round 1 and I would imagine he/fitness staff would be doing everything to make sure he is there. Round 1 is the start of a new era for the MFC, and as long as he doesn't have any setbacks, he will be playing.

From all his/the clubs tweets, it seems like he is tracking ahead of round 1, but they wont rush it.. as they shouldn't

I'd imagine he would mean you wont see him in the NAB Cup. As publicly stated, he has always aimed for Round 1 and I would imagine he/fitness staff would be doing everything to make sure he is there. Round 1 is the start of a new era for the MFC, and as long as he doesn't have any setbacks, he will be playing.

From all his/the clubs tweets, it seems like he is tracking ahead of round 1, but they wont rush it.. as they shouldn't

Even if his foot totally mended, his fitness would be well behind the group. Can't see him back for a few weeks.

Even if his foot totally mended, his fitness would be well behind the group. Can't see him back for a few weeks.

Match fitness yes. However, Key Forwards can gain what is required quicker then the rest of the groups.

I'd expect his overall fitness to be getting pretty close.

Match fitness yes. However, Key Forwards can gain what is required quicker then the rest of the groups.

I'd expect his overall fitness to be getting pretty close.

Let's hope there's a big difference this year then because last year as a 'key forward', he was running deep into defence just to find some footy! I remember the Eagles game where he was absolutely shagged from running so hard to get his four goals.

Even if his foot totally mended, his fitness would be well behind the group. Can't see him back for a few weeks.

Agree... and the upside of this (if there is an upside to be taken) is that Dawes and Pedersen will have the opportunity to display their wares - if Clark were playing, he would more than likely be the first go to option for most inside 50's.

Let's hope there's a big difference this year then because last year as a 'key forward', he was running deep into defence just to find some footy! I remember the Eagles game where he was absolutely shagged from running so hard to get his four goals.

I don't think his 'match fitness' was the issue there. Trav Cloke or Tom Hawkins aren't spending their time/energy in the backline getting the footy. But agreed, lets hope someone else can find the footy down there

Agree... and the upside of this (if there is an upside to be taken) is that Dawes and Pedersen will have the opportunity to display their wares - if Clark were playing, he would more than likely be the first go to option for most inside 50's.

Good point.

Certainly better than the days we were relying on Watts, Jurrah, Petterd, Newton (lol) et all to hold down the forward line. I am disappointed we don't get to see big Mitch come out round 1 but when he does come in it will be like bringing in a fresh body.

The later he comes in the more confident I am he is over his foot troubles. If we were to rush him back and he re-injured himself I would become inconsolable.

Agree... and the upside of this (if there is an upside to be taken) is that Dawes and Pedersen will have the opportunity to display their wares - if Clark were playing, he would more than likely be the first go to option for most inside 50's.

I'd add fitzpatric to that list.

IMO if clark isnt fit for round 1, the coaches may want to pick Fitzy as a 3rd tall so that when Clark is fit we will be playing the same structures.

I'd add fitzpatric to that list.

IMO if clark isnt fit for round 1, the coaches may want to pick Fitzy as a 3rd tall so that when Clark is fit we will be playing the same structures.

Agree that would be nice to see, but I suppose that with our current surplus of defenders, there is also the possibility that Garland might be moved forward as a stopgap measure? I would be happy either way.

Not surprised I will be surprised if we see him in the seniors before June.

He had serious foot injury, it always looked like he would be out for 12 months IMO.

Why rush him it will not cost us playing finals in 2013 and we need him firing in the next few years not rounds 1 -8 of 2013.

Clark has done the EXACT same injury as Matthew Richardson in 2000. Richardson was injured in round 4 and Clark round 11, so Clark is 7 weeks behind in his rehabilitation program. Richardson played round 1 in 2001 and went on to play every game of the year and kicked 59 goals. I suspect that if Richardson was ready for round 1 then Clark may be a few weeks off that, but perhaps not. Clark's progress to date has gone completely to plan.

I doubt Richardson was "rushed" and he had a fine year.

Plus gives a chance for the other forwards to settle in a bit.

You see, this is where you've got to change your thinking. He will be back by the second half of the season in time to regain match fitness before playing in at least one final in 2013.

C'mom OD, you've got to switch on and think positive. Rid yourself of these lingering doubts. The past is gone and done. Look to the future and see the light brother.

OPTIMISM... POSITIVITY... FAITH... FINALS

Go DEES!

I have already booked a seat at the post premiership party for the MFC 2013 flag.

I have already booked a seat at the post premiership party for the MFC 2013 flag.

We wont need seats Redleg - we'll be dancing the night away.

Plus gives a chance for the other forwards to settle in a bit.

What does that even mean..?

What does that even mean..?

Pretty obvious I would have thought... as I said in an earlier post, Clark would be the most likely target in the forward line, so without him there, Dawes and Pedersen (assuming he's in the starting 22) are now more likely to get a lot more delivery and so will be given the opportunity to establish their credentials early on.

I have already booked a seat at the post premiership party for the MFC 2013 flag.

Le Pine Funeral Directors

Pretty obvious I would have thought... as I said in an earlier post, Clark would be the most likely target in the forward line, so without him there, Dawes and Pedersen (assuming he's in the starting 22) are now more likely to get a lot more delivery and so will be given the opportunity to establish their credentials early on.

Settle in? Settle into what though?

Clearly Clark is in our ideal lineup, so they'll just be getting used to playing in a structure that change as soon as its physically possible.

I don't see where the benefit is of settling into something that is temporary, not ideal, and out of necessity.

Its an interesting conundrum for sure.

My take is that ideally Mitch will play in or around the line and Dawes in the box. But if Clark is say nominally 80-90% fit but still quite capable of taking the field id swap them up til Mitch comes up to speed and distance. Mich is a very VERY good contested mark off few steps. He would still be a massive headache in the square.

Settle in? Settle into what though?

Clearly Clark is in our ideal lineup, so they'll just be getting used to playing in a structure that change as soon as its physically possible.

I don't see where the benefit is of settling into something that is temporary, not ideal, and out of necessity.

I think you are over-analysing alias275's post.

All I asked was what he meant by "settle in" in that context.

It doesn't mean anything.

I think you are over-analysing alias275's post.

I think so too.

I just meant it more as a psychological thing. Clark missing the first few rounds just gives Dawes and Peder more chance of making a big impact first few rounds as they won't be worried about getting in Clarks way etc.

Forwards will know what I mean.