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.

That is an interesting take on things.

Probably one of the better posts I've read in this thread.

yeah it does actually

what is he going to die from playing football

FCS this club is soft and inept in every possible way

If this is a serious mental health issue, which it is looking more and more like, then yes actually, the possibility is very real. If you think showing compassion for someone with serious problems is being "soft", then you need to take a good long look at yourself.

Or perversely-remunerated

Get over the remuneration. Its irrelevant largely. We have to pay it to someone. Had Clark strung more games together he would the best value player on our list.

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.

Thanks Master interesting comment! I suppose how much is enough? As an ordinary wage earner I cannot fathom the enormity of this type of money !The chance to earn in excess of 1.5 Million for three years of work is bonanza money in anyone's language.

Those of us who will be luck to retire on the average of 400 or so thousand ( and I think this above the average) can only Dream of being able to have a 1.5 mill sort of money to pay for family concerns and enjoy comfortable retirement. I can only hope his issues do not become permanent!

Thanks Master interesting comment! I suppose how much is enough? As an ordinary wage earner I cannot fathom the enormity of this type of money !The chance to earn in excess of 1.5 Million for three years of work is bonanza money in anyone's language.

Those of us who will be luck to retire on the average of 400 or so thousand ( and I think this above the average) can only Dream of being able to have a 1.5 mill sort of money to pay for family concerns and enjoy comfortable retirement. I can only hope his issues do not become permanent!

People get sucked in by the contracts thinking they're totally amazing, but there's a few facts to consider/remember:

-Footy players spend their lives building up to that 1 decent contract, plenty of unpaid work during their formative years to try and get there.

-Most footy players have to start a whole new career from scratch once they finish up with AFL. Dustin Fletcher has never had a job other than footy is an example.

-If you're the top of your profession you generally get paid well.

-4% of AFL players have a career that lasts 10 years. 4%.

-You say "comfortable retirement", but the guy is 26, how comfortable do you think it will be trying to stretch that money to last 60 years? That's $25,000 a year. Not an awesome wage is it?

Thanks Master interesting comment! I suppose how much is enough? As an ordinary wage earner I cannot fathom the enormity of this type of money !The chance to earn in excess of 1.5 Million for three years of work is bonanza money in anyone's language.

Those of us who will be luck to retire on the average of 400 or so thousand ( and I think this above the average) can only Dream of being able to have a 1.5 mill sort of money to pay for family concerns and enjoy comfortable retirement. I can only hope his issues do not become permanent!

Don't forget that we are ordinary wage earners with careers that are likely to last until we are between 55 and 65 years old. Footballers are often unqualified, have forgone other opportunities to follow their AFL dream and their careers are over at around 35... and only a small handfull are likely to go further as media figures, so there is a reason for the high numbers offered.

Get over the remuneration. Its irrelevant largely. We have to pay it to someone. Had Clark strung more games together he would the best value player on our list.

My reference was a general one but if I'd wanted to be specific I could have began the list with Tilbrook and Templeton et al.

People get sucked in by the contracts thinking they're totally amazing, but there's a few facts to consider/remember:

-Footy players spend their lives building up to that 1 decent contract, plenty of unpaid work during their formative years to try and get there.

-Most footy players have to start a whole new career from scratch once they finish up with AFL. Dustin Fletcher has never had a job other than footy is an example.

-If you're the top of your profession you generally get paid well.

-4% of AFL players have a career that lasts 10 years. 4%.

-You say "comfortable retirement", but the guy is 26, how comfortable do you think it will be trying to stretch that money to last 60 years? That's $25,000 a year. Not an awesome wage is it?

Understand that but given his previous wage at Brisbane and his Melbourne Wage lets say 2 Milllion to date at age 26 That's not a bad start. When I was 26 I was a first time homeowner with a sizable mortgage, I toddler and about 7 Grand in the bank as savings!

I know what money I would rather have been on AND whatever he does outside footy might lead to a long and prosperous career! Remember he still has about 35 years left to work!

All this rubbish about him being overpaid. Well if not him then who? Who would you rather got that money? Almost nobody on our list is earning their keep and playing footy equitable to the money they're on.

Except Jones. I fully expect that man will get all of $700k a year over 5 years for his next contract.

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.

I see what you're trying to say, but when you wrote 'I'm not renewing my membership until Clark comes back', it made it sound like you were protesting at Clark's decision to seek time to heal.

My only criticism of Mitch is perhaps he was a little weak willed to accept the insane bucketload of money we threw at him perhaps against his better judgement and priorities. On the other hand he busted his guts and gave everything when he played for us and copped a brutal career threatening injury to boot. This is like one of those passionate fleeting ultimately unrequited love relationships that were never meant to be.

if he is physically fit, on $700k, and choosing not to play for us when we are screaming for a tall forward, well, he is a cat.

He is not physically fit, or anything close to being physically fit, and in no state to get to being physically fit at any time in the foreseeable future.

If he was, none of this would be happening.

if he is physically fit, on $700k, and choosing not to play for us when we are screaming for a tall forward, well, he is a cat.

*facepalm*

I suspect there are a few in this thread who are letting their frustration at the club's predicament affect their judgement. I've probably been guilty of it myself.

I am actually looking forward to next week. Knowing what is happening in the future will make it all a bit easier to process.

One thing I don't believe is that Mitch has a sinister bone in his body. He was and is well intentioned in everything he has done since an offer was made to him to come to Melbourne.

I really hope he doesn't retire because I think he will come to regret it, but ultimately he has to do what is best for his health. He has a daughter who is relying on him to do so.

First let me say I wish Mitch all the best.

If Mitch does retire that will be yet another first round pick lost in the last few years.

Cook, Morton, Gysberts, that bloke at GWS, Sylvia, McLean, Moloney and Clark ( pick 12 traded ) will have all gone in the last couple of years. There are probably a few more I have missed and Chip could add to that list.

Has any other club in the history of the game, since drafting began, lost so many first round picks in such a short time?

No wonder we are struggling.

ok I guess we have to forget all about clarky in a footy sense , will never play again I said this when dawes showed up , "they will never play in the same side , team together " my bad I was right , so where to now , meeting this week will decide , to be honest I hope he chucks it in get rid of the wish this wish that thing and move on , its over ok , not that im not pizzed off , just gotta face it ,

All this rubbish about him being overpaid. Well if not him then who? Who would you rather got that money? Almost nobody on our list is earning their keep and playing footy equitable to the money they're on.

Except Jones. I fully expect that man will get all of $700k a year over 5 years for his next contract.

Jones can name his price. If he wants 2 mil a year, cut half the side.

redleg my quote button dosent work , but I live for the day all the names you mentioned are forgotten and they sit watching us and say wow , I coulda been part of that if I had a crack , , ooops just woke up yawn

Mitch Clark's foot exploded in 2012.

Blame the person who allowed him to return with screws in his foot still.

All the best Mitch. You wore 11 with pride.

Does anyone know when MC is meeting with the club?

What day and time?

Mitch Clark's foot exploded in 2012.

Blame the person who allowed him to return with screws in his foot still.

All the best Mitch. You wore 11 with pride.

Yes I questioned the worth of bringing him back with the screws still in, it was a rushed choice that was unnecessary to the teams hopes and could've given him proper time to recuperate some the surgery with less discomfort had we not bothered to bring him back.

The injury itself is a real bugger of a thing and we've got to remember that it's rare. Further proof that the club is cursed when we finally get a gun player and he gets a rare career threatening injury at a still young age.

As for his current state of mind, no one knows what he's going through and anyone pretending to is kidding themselves. It's his own personal demons he's fighting, and clearly they are crippling him. I agree with what someone said earlier though, I'm looking forward to knowing where things are at and where they are going, the uncertainty is tough to deal with.

Personally, I had a foot injury requiring screws to be inserted, and then began plays in again months before the screws came out.

After the screws were removed, I felt less arthritis-like pain after heavy loads.

But it was ok, and I don't think it's that uncommon.

I think Clark just had terribly bad luck.

Don't worry they'll have Hogan soon enough.

Is this off his instagram?

Personally, I had a foot injury requiring screws to be inserted, and then began plays in again months before the screws came out.

After the screws were removed, I felt less arthritis-like pain after heavy loads.

But it was ok, and I don't think it's that uncommon.

I think Clark just had terribly bad luck.

Are you as big a unit as Mitch?

First let me say I wish Mitch all the best.

If Mitch does retire that will be yet another first round pick lost in the last few years.

Cook, Morton, Gysberts, that bloke at GWS, Sylvia, McLean, Moloney and Clark ( pick 12 traded ) will have all gone in the last couple of years. There are probably a few more I have missed and Chip could add to that list.

Has any other club in the history of the game, since drafting began, lost so many first round picks in such a short time?

No wonder we are struggling.

not to mention all the ones we have actually held onto have vastly underperformed