Seems to me that the purpose of the meeting is to determine an appropriate exit strategy for the mutual benefit of the club and the player. I really can't see him staying in his current unhappy situation in Melbourne while his family and most of his friends are in Perth. It wouldn't surprise if, after time for healing in familiar surroundings, he continues his career at the Dockers from next year on. Good luck to him - he's been on a rough road.

I have thought long and hard on this issue and I'm sorry to have come to the following conclusion.

For once the club is not at fault and the reality is that Mitch Clarke and his love of the mighty dollar have seen us again being severely compromised.

Let me explain.

When the club went after him it faced an uphill battle. His management and he were hellbent on returning to his native Western Australia and there was a very lucrative offer from Freo for him to play there.

This would have solved his pressing family issues and enabled him to return to his native state. This was said to be all but a done deal so what happened??

Enter MFC with a sackful of cash and a volition to lure Mitch Clark to Melbourne.

Several meetings and increase in cash saw him finally agree to join Melbourne.

He is reportedly the clubs highest paid player on around 650-750 K per year.

This is a heck of a lot of money to outlay for a player who initially resisted our offer and said unequivocally that he desired a move back to Perth for family and other reasons.

Just think about it.......

He was hell bent on returning to his native state and nothing was going to change that!

Nothing perhaps other than a truckload of money. Imaging 650=750 K per year to play footy?

He agreed to join us and the rest is history. The injuries were bad luck.

Bottom line it seems came over to us essentially for money pure and simple.

Now what we have got in 2014 is a player who has endured a frustrating string of soft tissue injuries on top of his well documented Lisfranc fractures. Some family issues perhaps similar to ones which originally were very important to him when the Freo offer came up and his decision to turn his back on his own rationale and succumb to the lure of a sackload of money instead of proceeding with his original decision to go back home.

Bottom line can money ever replace family and other environmental issues which he deemed so important to his future at the time?

In hindsight how important is and was money now that these and other location issues have emerged ? It seems entirely that in this case sadly for player and club that it appears destined for his at this stage possible break from the game to address his issues.

Sad for Mitch Clark and the club but if IF I am right a lesson to learn about what you really want and the betterment of self through following your heart. Not the $.

Edited April 5, 201411 yr by picket fence

I like you're passion and I don't disagree

But you're grip on reality I struggle to agree with... Mitch needs to what's best for Mitch which may not be at the Mfc... The club needs to get behind him but move on on field as well

I can only judge from what I've read.

It might be best for Mitch Clark to get out of the footy field.

From everything I've read, this might just be a case of - let's play some footy mate.

True dinkin Aussie spirit, let's go Mitchy boy.

Get around him.

Clark is an on field leader, this guy is tough as nails and plays with passion.

It will be a sad day if he leaves, he buys and sells Frawley. So let's not make this a chip thread.

Clark would be perfect for Hogan, Clark pays his way if we can get him out there.

I still believe in Mitch Clark, I don't care if anyone else does, but Clark is a star.

Come back Mitch, you have some loyal supporters who have your back mate.

I won't be renewing my membership until you return.

Well, the rest of the post was pretty ordinary, but this pushes it to the next level.

Shake his hand and wish him well.. Sit hogan down and put a contract with Mitch's money in front of hogan.

Shake his hand and wish him well.. Sit hogan down and put a contract with Mitch's money in front of hogan.

If Hogans is going to turn out as good as Wayne Carey thinks he will I would be offering him more.

Some of the posts on this thread are truly ignorant and reprehensible.

Picket fence especially, you are a pill.

Walking away from your normal routine can sometimes be the worst thing to do when depressed.

It may even be better for Mitch long term to continue with the club in some capacity so that he can overcome his problems.

The worst thing to do sometimes is to walk away, this can give someone another reason to believe they are a failure.

I just hope for Mitch's sake he takes the best course of action for himself and doesn't take an option that is shortsighted and is detrimental to his recovery.

All the best Mitch.

This club sucks balls

"What is known is any decision will be what’s best for Clark and not what’s best for Melbourne."

Well that's just bloody wonderful to hear isn't it

Unbelievable

"What is known is any decision will be what’s best for Clark and not what’s best for Melbourne."

Well that's just bloody wonderful to hear isn't it

Unbelievable

Nice to see you have quoted in full context... not!

Some of the posts on this thread are truly ignorant and reprehensible.

Picket fence especially, you are a pill.

CARE TO EXPLAIN MY IGNORANCE ??

WHY, what don't you like? Elaborate rather than abuse without substance. What have I said that is incorrect?

If you want to be ignorant can my posts without giving reason, now that is ignorant!

Edited April 5, 201411 yr by picket fence

Nice to see you have quoted in full context... not!

what's the context? There are 30,000 people who watch a goose of a club fail on a weekly basis and we are now being told our number 1 talent is just walking away.. yet we are all supposed to be so kind and understanding about it. Eff that, I am furious.

what's the context? There are 30,000 people who watch a goose of a club fail on a weekly basis and we are now being told our number 1 talent is just walking away.. yet we are all supposed to be so kind and understanding about it. Eff that, I am furious.

This is indicative of the awful attitudes people have to mental health issues in sport.

I would say 'you should be ashamed' but you wouldn't understand.

what's the context? There are 30,000 people who watch a goose of a club fail on a weekly basis and we are now being told our number 1 talent is just walking away.. yet we are all supposed to be so kind and understanding about it. Eff that, I am furious.

Yeah, let's put the club ahead of a player's health... that makes sense.

Edited April 5, 201411 yr by hardtack

Yeah, let's put the club ahead of a player's health... that make's sense.

yeah it does actually

what is he going to die from playing football

FCS this club is soft and inept in every possible way

The sooner the matter is resolved the better and for this reason the meeting next week is a blessing.

The majority of folk who post here would want a result that is best for Clark and his future despite the nagging selfish thought that we want him to continue with the MFC at all cost.

I'm still waiting for a reply Machy????

Well, the rest of the post was pretty ordinary, but this pushes it to the next level.

I like players with passion.

We are improving, but MFC has to earn my families membership.

There is a precedent that has been set by James Frawley and I support that.

After 7 years of mediocrity, the club now has to earn members - which is fair enough.

Mitch Clark gets back out there, that will be put to bed, Clark plays with passion - Nathan Jones like passion.

I support Mitch Clark and I hope he does not read this thread.

CARE TO EXPLAIN MY IGNORANCE ??

WHY, what don't you like? Elaborate rather than abuse without substance. What have I said that is incorrect?

If you want to be ignorant can my posts without giving reason, now that is ignorant!

Picket, you probably went against the grain bud.

Just brush it off mate.

yeah it does actually

what is he going to die from playing football

FCS this club is soft and inept in every possible way

That's bloody ridiculous. Why would you play someone when it's detrimental to their physical and mental health? It doesn't bear any kind of benefit for the club or the player, it's just stupid,

If he's fit, eff yeah. Otherwise, there's no point.

Credibility is backing up your statements Machy but obviously you are not prepared to do that so can I suggest in future unless you plan to engage in useful debate and provide some evidence of argument that you not comment in future about any of my posts!

Can I iterate I was not criticising Mitch Clark in any way, plenty would have done just as he did. I'm just providing opinion based on his volition to choose MFC over Freo. I have provided some "Food for thought" Something different and opinionated.

I think at this stage Clarks wellbeing is the no 1 Priority. In so saying I wonder if he regrets signing with MFC Given the way things have panned out?

Edited April 5, 201411 yr by picket fence

I think we need to get used to the idea that Mitch Clark probably won't play again. He's played with courage and passion and given us some hope during the past 2 years through his desire to win and example on the field. His situation should be a reminder to his team that life in football is short and to make the most of it.

The MFC and us supporters also need to stop seeing our most talented players as saviours but instead focus on our ability as a collective unit. Our situation has more to do with our club standing for something than it does our talent.

I want to see our team go out on the field on Sunday and for the rest of this season hell bent on winning. I am Sparta!

CARE TO EXPLAIN MY IGNORANCE ??

WHY, what don't you like? Elaborate rather than abuse without substance. What have I said that is incorrect?

If you want to be ignorant can my posts without giving reason, now that is ignorant!

Money was the main motivation but it wasn't chasing money to buy a fancy car, house or [censored] it all up.

The money was about being financially set to care for his daughter as a single father, that's a noble thing to do.

Melbourne also helped relocate his partner. They also compensated Brisbane which is something Clark was keen on.

My point is that Clark's decisions have never been selfish pursuits. I think that gives an insight to his personality that he's likely neurotic and susceptible to breakdowns although that might be overstating. Demanding to go to Perth, fighting Freo on cash and letting his girlfriend sort her self out would have been more selfish and greedy that settling in Melbourne. That's my take anyway.

I thought Mich Clark all but officially retired three seasons ago.

Guys and girls please, eating each other is not the answer. Facts are Mitch signed up as a all Australian, highly regarded player and we watched his first 5 weeks and saw that he is genuinely an a grade player. Some of the posts questioning that, his ethic, his moral fibre are purely absurd and the posters who write that vile should go and have a look at themselves. Not only as demon supporters but as human beings. If anyone blames him, the coaches, neeld, mission... You're kidding.