By the way Sydney traded Darren Jolly to Collingwood when he was reaching the peak of his career. At the time some questioned it I'm sure even if Sydney got a first round draft pick for him. Last year Jolly revealed that at the time his wife was suffering pretty badly from Post Natal Depression and they had to move the family back to Melbourne. Roos didn't tell Jolly he had to stay he just told Jolly no problems, got the trade done, no leaks in the media etc. Jolly won a flag at Collingwood, Sydney have since won a flag as well.

With what I've read here I can't help but think some would attack Jolly's wife if this was the Sydney board of whatever year that was.

People have been treated by this club to so many poor decisions and instances of bad culture that they wouldn't know what a good culture likes look, and the way a good club carries itself.

Here's a baby step:

Don't confuse being heartless for being ruthless.

From the producers of 'James McDonald: Senior Citizen List Clogger'....

Your allusions betray your delusions.

Clark came to this club and looked worth every cent of his wage and more than the Pick 12 we gave up.

His lisfranc dislocating was a freak occurrence that happened because God Hates Melbourne.

Roos knows how to build a club and a culture and it, in no way, involves being as heartless as you seem to want this club to be.

We are his employers and he has had a rough trot with injuries, if he is suffering from a rough personal life then more power to the club for trying to help him through his issues.

How having a desire for a cohesive and inclusive club culture can descend to 'accepting mediocrity' is an argument of the lazy and snide.

you deny his history..gee

By the way Sydney traded Darren Jolly to Collingwood when he was reaching the peak of his career. At the time some questioned it I'm sure even if Sydney got a first round draft pick for him. Last year Jolly revealed that at the time his wife was suffering pretty badly from Post Natal Depression and they had to move the family back to Melbourne. Roos didn't tell Jolly he had to stay he just told Jolly no problems, got the trade done, no leaks in the media etc. Jolly won a flag at Collingwood, Sydney have since won a flag as well.

With what I've read here I can't help but think some would attack Jolly's wife if this was the Sydney board of whatever year that was.

Jolly did not turn down the chance to move back home only to go to another state for a bucket of cash.

happy to be at the front muppet-master.

answer me this....when he doesnt play again, and I believe he won't, what will you say after round 23 when we are 2 and 21 (after a 90 point North flogging). Will you be happy to send your best wishes to the big boy?

I'm sorry, life sucks, footy is a part of that for Melbourne supporters, but for the players that come and go, the club means nothing, it's just a job.

I quote you "for him to fly back to his family (probably on his own expense) to get his head right." -

I reckon he can afford it just quietly

hate me or not, I really don't give a flying rats fat hairy one. I'm sick of looking for mathematical tangents to fly off on with my mates to make excuses for this mob. If we are 3 and 3, then come back and remind me, I'll stand up and admit I am was wrong like a man. Outside of that, I'll continue to sit here like the last 7 years and watch the pitiful Demonland regulars look for inspiration out of desolation

Geeze, terribly sorry that Mitch's situation has given your mates another reason to give you a hard time. I hope you can cope alright.

Knee jerk reactions like yours do no-one any good. Yes it's a frustrating situation, but it needs a cool head with the welfare of the individual being paramount. Mitch may return, he may not. Right now, his health is what is important, and giving him the necessary assistance is what smart clubs and smart businesses do.

As a side note, it really sickens me to hear people like yourself react to this with not just a lack of empathy, but actual contempt.

you deny his history..gee

What do osteitis pubis and quad injuries have to do with a collision caused linsfranc injury? Or maybe you should stop talking when you don't actually know what you're talking about.

unless we know exactly what problems mitch is facing we are just floundering around in the dark

at the moment we have no better option than to allow the club to manage it as best it can

it's not a good situation for anyone and prejudging it leaves one open to looking like a fool later on

Edited March 17, 201411 yr by daisycutter

Geeze, terribly sorry that Mitch's situation has given your mates another reason to give you a hard time. I hope you can cope alright.

Knee jerk reactions like yours do no-one any good. Yes it's a frustrating situation, but it needs a cool head with the welfare of the individual being paramount. Mitch may return, he may not. Right now, his health is what is important, and giving him the necessary assistance is what smart clubs and smart businesses do.

As a side note, it really sickens me to hear people like yourself react to this with not just a lack of empathy, but actual contempt.

What about Tapscott who is also having a hard time? He also deserves some compassion.

If Tapscott (who returned to games last week after missing 3 weeks with a medial knee strain and played pretty much injury free last year IIRC) needed time off for whatever reason and was injured anyway then I'd be all for it.

Here's Geelong - you know that mob with the 3 premierships since 2007 - sending one of their players to Europe for a large chunk of the season last year: How crazy is that

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/geelongs-lincoln-mccarthy-sets-off-on-another-journey-20140306-34a93.html

I would have a bit more sympathy if we had drafted Mitch and he got home sick and wanted to go back to WA as he wouldn't have had a choice.

But the case here is that Mitch had the choice to go back to WA and decided to at the last minute to come to MFC for a bucket load of cash. Now that it is not working out to well (due to injuries which are out of his control) and he decides he wants to go back to WA after all

Ahhhhhh just worked it out, m'kaaaaay is Range Rover. He's back. Grrrrrrrreat....

Jolly did not turn down the chance to move back home only to go to another state for a bucket of cash.

How do you know that all his troubles wouldn't have occurred if he was in Perth. That he's gone back to Perth now is indication he has more support there but chronic injuries and other problems might have happened there as well. Alternatively he could've played 2 great seasons for us and not have a care in the world. Or played 2 great seasons and still be facing these issues now.

So much of the Clark hate seems to be because he's well payed and a high draft pick. Well Lucas Cook and Gysberts were the same draft pick, they didn't do half of what Clark did for us. And add the money that Jamar and Davey have got off late, double it down with Bruce and Green, mix in some Cam Pedersen. Players get paid a lot, get over it. Those discussion might (and it's just a might) have some relevance come September or October but not now.

Caro just said on Footy Classified that Clark may not actually be headed back to Perth but is staying in Melbourne, and best case scenario is that he is back at the club in 2 months time, which works out to 8 weeks which is the minimum time he has to be on the LTI for.

Still no real answers, although you can tell that they are treading lightly around the issue which is good to see for a change.

Ahhhhhh just worked it out, m'kaaaaay is Range Rover. He's back. Grrrrrrrreat....

Useful stuff as usual RR.

Perhaps a poll would be more appropriate?

geez i hope the man himself doesnt read this thread

geez i hope the man himself doesnt read this thread

Me too. Although I'm pretty sure Damo Barrett's source for his article about Clark was demonland. One day there's mention of Clark excused from the season launch dinner to take personal time, the next day it's on AFL.com.au

Edited March 17, 201411 yr by the master

geez i hope the man himself doesnt read this thread

As important as we all like to think our posts are little red, Mitch aint reading the stuff on here, it's strictly saved for the likes of you.

Saying that, a bit of leading- teams-demonland-style wouldn't hurt him would it?

As important as we all like to think our posts are little red, Mitch aint reading the stuff on here, it's strictly saved for the likes of you.

Saying that, a bit of leading- teams-demonland-style wouldn't hurt him would it?

Thats meant to be Constructive!

With the recent losses of Dean Bailey and Jimmy I would've thought everyone would realise that people can't be replaced.

Come on mate what in the name of God do those blokes have to do with Clark, get real.

If we have another superstar just vanish from our list for some stupid reason I will effing crack it

and I can already see myself cracking it on Saturday night watching the ball sail into our 50 aimed at nobody, rebounded straight back down the other end as we take a solid thrashing. Bloody furious right now.

Edited March 17, 201411 yr by Curry & Beer

That he's gone back to Perth now….

Reports are that he's (still) in Melbourne.

Shows how much most on here know about what's going on.

He having a tough time...on the company's dime lifes a [censored]

Apart from anything else that's going on, he's also injured (calf strain apparently).

As such, continues to be paid under the conditions of his contract, as do all injured players.

I really feel for the guy. Must be absolutely gut wrenching and the pressure would weigh on him heavily.

I'm almost of the mindset that as long as he loves the club and wants to stay in Melbourne after the 8 week break, to rest him for the whole year in the hope he can ease himself properly into season 2015 and play every game. But who knows.

Good organisations treat their employees with respect. My experience is that this is repaid many times over in the fullness of time. The MFC is doing the right thing here. Some of the reactions displayed on DL border on the Neanderthal in terms of the management of what is clearly a disappointing situation for everyone. But the long term interests of the club are best served by getting Mitch healthy again, and creating a supportive environment for all the other players.

Jolly did not turn down the chance to move back home only to go to another state for a bucket of cash.

That isn't Clarks fault.

Clubs need to do due diligence. If they draft a player - as we have done - then it's on the club to honor their commitment.

It ain't on Clark, it is on MFC, and if Clark has any issues at all - or any other MFC for that matter - then the MFC need to do all they can to help.

If players walk away, we pay FULL contract, if they want to stay, we do all we can.

Cutting loose players when they are down and out - isn't the way to go, I certainly wouldn't support a club that done that and I am sure players looking to come to MFC - wouldn't come to a club if they cut loose players that were down and out.

Clark for pick 12 even now rates ahead of any top 20 pick we've drafted in the past 5 years.

I understand supporters are frustrated and angry after watching Ollie Wines tear Carlton a new one, but let's not take this out on Mitch Clark.