Complications from last year's Lisfranc operation put a disappointing and premature end to his season and cruelled Mark Neeld's forward line planning. The question mark over whether he can return to full fitness in 2014 will be the key to how far the team can improve next year.

Games MFC 2013 4 Career Total 97

Goals MFC 2013 7 Career Total 97

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 41 votes

Getting a fully fit Mitch back onto the field, together with (again fully fit) Dawes and Hogan would be one hell of a boost.

I wish them all well.

Mitch's inability to put in full seasons has been the final nail in the coffin the past two seasons.

Chrlst I hope they havent buggered him up.

Looking forward to his presence on the fileld once again. Quite a few stand taller when hes out there.

Clark Dawes Hogan.....could be anything

Get back out there Mitch....put your camera down son lol

After a whole year on the sidelines he is not going to be in peak fitness but I don't think he has to be in order to have an impact. With Dawes, Hogan and Watts in the team Clark can stay in the forward 50m if he has to whilst the other three can push up the ground and crash packs.

The MFC was saying that he could return before the end of the year - that surely means his fitness can't be to bad? (a couple months ago half of demonland were saying he would never return).

Like all of our team he needs a big injury free preseason (lets hope Arizona helps out Clark and Dawes).

Its interesting that Neeld didn't go for high altitude training after coming from Colingwood (they did a lot of research into high altitude training).

Anyway it will be great having Clark back out there and he and Dawes will have an immense impact I think (they wont be dropping their heads after we get a few goals kicked against us).

Chrlst I hope they havent buggered him up.

Looking forward to his presence on the fileld once again. Quite a few stand taller when hes out there.

Clark Dawes Hogan.....could be anything

Get back out there Mitch....put your camera down son lol

and Im not refering to these ....

and Im not refering to these ....

They wont be laughing at our version BB!

Although I like the nickname "Paul" better than "Hulk".

I'm fearful of Mitch's ability to get back on the ground. I'm far from convinced that he'll play too many more games. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

Has a lot to prove took a massive pay packet and through no fault of his own hasn't been on the field.

However despite his injuries he has been one of a very few shinning lights in last 2 years.

So sad...

Has a lot to prove took a massive pay packet and through no fault of his own hasn't been on the field.

However despite his injuries he has been one of a very few shinning lights in last 2 years.

So sad...

Has nothing at all to prove, he's clearly a gun. Just needs to get fit.

I'm forever the optimist. Richo had this injury and played his best footy after it. I'm not aware of any other documented cases in the AFL. People on this forum familiar with the injury (like Webber) reckon he'll be okay. Can't see any logic in those who reckon he's done; it's just instinctive pessimism without any basis in fact.

If anyone follows Mitch's twitter account for the past few weeks he has been putting photos up of him running and beginning his pre season! great signs

Has nothing at all to prove, he's clearly a gun. Just needs to get fit.

Therefore needs to prove he can get fit!!!

Had one comeback which failed already!!!

The big upside is he has real talent! Roll on 2014