Could you imagine if melbourne had any luck over the last 5 years our forward line would potentially rival Sydneys..

HF Watts Dawes Howe

FF Hogan Clark Jurrah

With roos defensive tactics our forward line would of been DEEvastating!!

We wouldn't have Roos if that forward line worked out. Same as if we had picked Rockliff, Fyfe or Sloane. If you're happy we have Roos and happy with the direction we're heading in then it's not worth rewriting history because we're in a pretty good place at the moment.

  On 22/05/2014 at 13:12, Laces Out said:

Could you imagine if melbourne had any luck over the last 5 years our forward line would potentially rival Sydneys..

HF Watts Dawes Howe

FF Hogan Clark Jurrah

With roos defensive tactics our forward line would of been DEEvastating!!

Screw rival, it would beat them.

I'd be surprised if Clark didn't come back, I base this off my own thoughts on football.
There are bigger issues than AFL, like life.

To me, Mitch doesn't seem selfish. He just realizes there is no point playing football if you can't.

When I have issues and don't want to work - I don't work. Some people find that strange.

But people who have kids they sometimes can't see, or women making life tough in that regard - they don't find that strange.

There are mental health issues in football, that is why Dayle Garlett was always a long shot.

On face value he looked like the second coming of jesus, but in reality, recruiters understand how much mental issues effect performance.

  On 21/05/2014 at 12:17, beelzebub said:

If he were to, and I highly doubt it, return to the AFL it would be through the draft.

He's fair game for all. Anyone thinking there'd be some sort of gentleman's handshake are even more delusion and glossy eyed than those thinking its likely to occur in the first place.

This isnt going to happen.

Theres more to life than football and hes now come to appreciate this fully.

I agree and if Melbourne thought that there was either a realistic possibility that he would return or that it was on balance better to keep him rather than develop another player it could have resisted the resignation, subject to the specific contract and kept him on the list indefinitely. It didn't, which was a wise and humane decision.

If Mitch does return to another club, so be it. That is his prerogative I will be disappointed because he is a highly talented player but realise that his departure has given the club other opportunities.

A lot of this discussion is based on the "great white hope" delusion and Melbourne has had it bad since 1964 - Tilbrook, Gull Noseworthy, Templeton etc etc. We are now on the right track building a champion team.

Mitch has given me a quote to do the photography at my wedding in April next year. I think he'll struggle to be at my wedding if he's kicking goals at the MCG.

  On 23/05/2014 at 23:42, Matt Demon said:

Mitch has given me a quote to do the photography at my wedding in April next year. I think he'll struggle to be at my wedding if he's kicking goals at the MCG.

Not if you have your wedding at the G

I'm sure he can manage a couple snaps whilst lining up for goal or whilst propped up on someones shoulders

....Congrats

  On 23/05/2014 at 23:42, Matt Demon said:

Mitch has given me a quote to do the photography at my wedding in April next year. I think he'll struggle to be at my wedding if he's kicking goals at the MCG.

Congratulations Matt.

He's moved on from football, and it's time we did the same as well.

I'm certain he'll have days that'll lead to great regret about having to leave behind the greatest sport in the world, but it's also the reason he is in the battle he faces at the moment. It appears from the outside that photography brings him his greatest joy in life, and if that's the case he'd be stupid to come back to footy.

Thanks for the memories Mitch, but I'm happy if we move our resources to another area rather than wooing him back into football.

Many around Mitch and the club hold genuine hopes of a return. Mitch retired to ensure the media scrutiny on himself and the club would be dissolved for a considerable time period to enable Mitch the best possible hope of a full recovery, as if he did not retire the spotlight would have only grown weekly - a brave and brilliant move orchestrated by the club.

All going well, There is absolutely no donut that should Mitch feel his body is right and his mind is in a better place - that Mitch Clark will be wearing number 11 in the red & blue in 2015 - and likelihood of this has only grown by the day with the positive beginning to Mitch's recovery..

I'm expecting to see Mitch return to spearhead the Attack next year, but the fragility of this horrible affliction means that no one, including Mitch - can be resoundingly certain!

So let's just wish Mitch the best as many of you have, and hope that his position is strong enough come September to enable him to return!

September being the true deadline - to enable the Dees to ensure Mitch returns to the active list in 2015. If you contact the club - I'm sure they will happily explain that if such a circumstance "somehow" came to fruition, the Club could re-instate Mitch on the list with no risk of him falling elsewhere what so ever!

But don't expect them to even admit its a remote chance, as they absolutely would not compromise Mitch's recovery by adding unnecessary media scrutiny.

  On 29/05/2014 at 23:38, Nudge said:

Many around Mitch and the club hold genuine hopes of a return. Mitch retired to ensure the media scrutiny on himself and the club would be dissolved for a considerable time period to enable Mitch the best possible hope of a full recovery, as if he did not retire the spotlight would have only grown weekly - a brave and brilliant move orchestrated by the club.

All going well, There is absolutely no donut that should Mitch feel his body is right and his mind is in a better place - that Mitch Clark will be wearing number 11 in the red & blue in 2015 - and likelihood of this has only grown by the day with the positive beginning to Mitch's recovery..

I'm expecting to see Mitch return to spearhead the Attack next year, but the fragility of this horrible affliction means that no one, including Mitch - can be resoundingly certain!

So let's just wish Mitch the best as many of you have, and hope that his position is strong enough come September to enable him to return!

September being the true deadline - to enable the Dees to ensure Mitch returns to the active list in 2015. If you contact the club - I'm sure they will happily explain that if such a circumstance "somehow" came to fruition, the Club could re-instate Mitch on the list with no risk of him falling elsewhere what so ever!

But don't expect them to even admit its a remote chance, as they absolutely would not compromise Mitch's recovery by adding unnecessary media scrutiny.

A positive post and one I am sure we all hope proves correct.

Thanks Nudge. So the club's taking the "little Bo Peep" approach?

  On 29/05/2014 at 23:38, Nudge said:

Many around Mitch and the club hold genuine hopes of a return. Mitch retired to ensure the media scrutiny on himself and the club would be dissolved for a considerable time period to enable Mitch the best possible hope of a full recovery, as if he did not retire the spotlight would have only grown weekly - a brave and brilliant move orchestrated by the club.

All going well, There is absolutely no donut that should Mitch feel his body is right and his mind is in a better place - that Mitch Clark will be wearing number 11 in the red & blue in 2015 - and likelihood of this has only grown by the day with the positive beginning to Mitch's recovery..

I'm expecting to see Mitch return to spearhead the Attack next year, but the fragility of this horrible affliction means that no one, including Mitch - can be resoundingly certain!

So let's just wish Mitch the best as many of you have, and hope that his position is strong enough come September to enable him to return!

September being the true deadline - to enable the Dees to ensure Mitch returns to the active list in 2015. If you contact the club - I'm sure they will happily explain that if such a circumstance "somehow" came to fruition, the Club could re-instate Mitch on the list with no risk of him falling elsewhere what so ever!

But don't expect them to even admit its a remote chance, as they absolutely would not compromise Mitch's recovery by adding unnecessary media scrutiny.

I agree that he could quite easily make it back.

The weight is off his shoulders, I assume he is dealing with his issues, we'd have support structures in place, he'd be untouched by the media.

I don't think they'd be any real pressure on Clark if he were to come back.

It would be good for football and I could see him having support across the AFL.

He'd be in a much better position than he was when he left the game.

Either way, wish him the best, he seems like a genuinely good person.

  On 29/05/2014 at 23:38, Nudge said:

Many around Mitch and the club hold genuine hopes of a return. Mitch retired to ensure the media scrutiny on himself and the club would be dissolved for a considerable time period to enable Mitch the best possible hope of a full recovery, as if he did not retire the spotlight would have only grown weekly - a brave and brilliant move orchestrated by the club.

All going well, There is absolutely no donut that should Mitch feel his body is right and his mind is in a better place - that Mitch Clark will be wearing number 11 in the red & blue in 2015 - and likelihood of this has only grown by the day with the positive beginning to Mitch's recovery..

I'm expecting to see Mitch return to spearhead the Attack next year, but the fragility of this horrible affliction means that no one, including Mitch - can be resoundingly certain!

So let's just wish Mitch the best as many of you have, and hope that his position is strong enough come September to enable him to return!

September being the true deadline - to enable the Dees to ensure Mitch returns to the active list in 2015. If you contact the club - I'm sure they will happily explain that if such a circumstance "somehow" came to fruition, the Club could re-instate Mitch on the list with no risk of him falling elsewhere what so ever!

But don't expect them to even admit its a remote chance, as they absolutely would not compromise Mitch's recovery by adding unnecessary media scrutiny.

I've missed you. (I wish there were a "genuine" emoticon because sincerity sounds like sarcasm too easily damnit!).

Don't leave us.

Just hope if he does make it back, a massive if, that the club somehow works out ways for him to be out of the spotlight moving fwd. If the scrutiny was one of the reasons he did retire then it will only get amped up again if he does come back.

Clubs and the afl really need to get on top of the football media and its seemingly destructive nature in the players. They have feed the beast that is media to make money now it seems to be affecting too many players in a negative way.

  On 22/05/2014 at 01:24, Grand New Flag said:

My understanding is that he would be a delisted free agent and able to go to the club of his choice. He would not be required to go through the draft.

It is also my understanding that he retired knowing that this was an option. I understand he has never completely given up on playing AFL again for Melbourne if his mental health improved as such.

I was told all this the week before he retired.

You keep saying "my understanding" - is that based on sound data / facts or rather hope like many of us?

  On 22/05/2014 at 04:24, Jack7 said:

I thought we only had to delist him at the end of the year and is on our list until then.

I think he'd be too much of a head case and it'd weigh on the rest of the group.

  On 22/05/2014 at 05:14, KingDingAling said:

If you think Clark is a head case, you haven't seen many head cases.

King - I was going to suggest that we give Jack7 a mirror

  On 23/05/2014 at 23:42, Matt Demon said:

Mitch has given me a quote to do the photography at my wedding in April next year. I think he'll struggle to be at my wedding if he's kicking goals at the MCG.

What - a true believer planning an April wedding? Heretic. Burn him at the stake!

  On 30/05/2014 at 00:10, Cards13 said:

Just hope if he does make it back, a massive if, that the club somehow works out ways for him to be out of the spotlight moving fwd. If the scrutiny was one of the reasons he did retire then it will only get amped up again if he does come back.

Clubs and the afl really need to get on top of the football media and its seemingly destructive nature in the players. They have feed the beast that is media to make money now it seems to be affecting too many players in a negative way.

On the contrary - IF he makes it back, I would hope he would be right in the spotlight every week....mark of the week, goal of the week, Coleman leader, first Demon to reach 100 goals etc etc

Mono ha true, game time yes but out of the spotlight off the field.

  On 29/05/2014 at 23:38, Nudge said:

Many around Mitch and the club hold genuine hopes of a return. Mitch retired to ensure the media scrutiny on himself and the club would be dissolved for a considerable time period to enable Mitch the best possible hope of a full recovery, as if he did not retire the spotlight would have only grown weekly - a brave and brilliant move orchestrated by the club.

All going well, There is absolutely no donut that should Mitch feel his body is right and his mind is in a better place - that Mitch Clark will be wearing number 11 in the red & blue in 2015 - and likelihood of this has only grown by the day with the positive beginning to Mitch's recovery..

I'm expecting to see Mitch return to spearhead the Attack next year, but the fragility of this horrible affliction means that no one, including Mitch - can be resoundingly certain!

So let's just wish Mitch the best as many of you have, and hope that his position is strong enough come September to enable him to return!

September being the true deadline - to enable the Dees to ensure Mitch returns to the active list in 2015. If you contact the club - I'm sure they will happily explain that if such a circumstance "somehow" came to fruition, the Club could re-instate Mitch on the list with no risk of him falling elsewhere what so ever!

But don't expect them to even admit its a remote chance, as they absolutely would not compromise Mitch's recovery by adding unnecessary media scrutiny.

This is what i was hoping for. He is still part of the club till later this year.

The best thing Mitch can do now is keep busy.

Keep fit and take your photos Mitch

Next season is still a possibility.

I am happy he seems to be happier.

I am not going to hold out for anything more.

  On 29/05/2014 at 23:38, Nudge said:

Many around Mitch and the club hold genuine hopes of a return. Mitch retired to ensure the media scrutiny on himself and the club would be dissolved for a considerable time period to enable Mitch the best possible hope of a full recovery, as if he did not retire the spotlight would have only grown weekly - a brave and brilliant move orchestrated by the club.

All going well, There is absolutely no donut that should Mitch feel his body is right and his mind is in a better place - that Mitch Clark will be wearing number 11 in the red & blue in 2015 - and likelihood of this has only grown by the day with the positive beginning to Mitch's recovery..

I'm expecting to see Mitch return to spearhead the Attack next year, but the fragility of this horrible affliction means that no one, including Mitch - can be resoundingly certain!

So let's just wish Mitch the best as many of you have, and hope that his position is strong enough come September to enable him to return!

September being the true deadline - to enable the Dees to ensure Mitch returns to the active list in 2015. If you contact the club - I'm sure they will happily explain that if such a circumstance "somehow" came to fruition, the Club could re-instate Mitch on the list with no risk of him falling elsewhere what so ever!

But don't expect them to even admit its a remote chance, as they absolutely would not compromise Mitch's recovery by adding unnecessary media scrutiny.

Here's hoping you have some inside knowledge, i won't get my hopes up but if this happens I'd be over the moon! Firstly for Mitch & secondly the club!

  On 21/05/2014 at 15:07, Dees2014 said:

I would imagine he is still formally tied to the MFC until season's end because that is what his contract says. Normally we would formally delist him at season's end. If he were to indicate to the club at that time he wishes to make a comeback I see no reason why we could simply renew his contract without having to go through the draft. It is not as though anyone has replaced him on our list.

Any one disagree ?

No not at all.

Watching the way we have been playing it must be really tempting to jump back on board with us on the rise, hopefully he doesn't jump the gun and makes the right decision for him and his health

  On 29/05/2014 at 23:38, Nudge said:

Many around Mitch and the club hold genuine hopes of a return. Mitch retired to ensure the media scrutiny on himself and the club would be dissolved for a considerable time period to enable Mitch the best possible hope of a full recovery, as if he did not retire the spotlight would have only grown weekly - a brave and brilliant move orchestrated by the club.

All going well, There is absolutely no donut that should Mitch feel his body is right and his mind is in a better place - that Mitch Clark will be wearing number 11 in the red & blue in 2015 - and likelihood of this has only grown by the day with the positive beginning to Mitch's recovery..

I'm expecting to see Mitch return to spearhead the Attack next year, but the fragility of this horrible affliction means that no one, including Mitch - can be resoundingly certain!

So let's just wish Mitch the best as many of you have, and hope that his position is strong enough come September to enable him to return!

September being the true deadline - to enable the Dees to ensure Mitch returns to the active list in 2015. If you contact the club - I'm sure they will happily explain that if such a circumstance "somehow" came to fruition, the Club could re-instate Mitch on the list with no risk of him falling elsewhere what so ever!

But don't expect them to even admit its a remote chance, as they absolutely would not compromise Mitch's recovery by adding unnecessary media scrutiny.

I find this highly unlikely.

I get your point about retirement, but then why go to point of agreeing on a settlement and removing him from out list. They didnt need to remove him from the list right now, could have waited until end of year. Hes done and dusted.

Also check him on his social media, all he wants to do is shoot weddings (which is a weekend based business) so his priorities are not footy.

He is off the list and i dont even know if its legal for the dees to just reinstate him?

  On 30/05/2014 at 01:31, why you little said:

This is what i was hoping for. He is still part of the club till later this year.

The best thing Mitch can do now is keep busy.

Keep fit and take your photos Mitch

Next season is still a possibility.

Lets hope he spends some time thru winter in Outback Australia, taking Photo's of our GreatSouthernLand, & the Brilliant night skies of the Southern Cross.

rest Mitch, & retrieve the inner smile.

  On 29/05/2014 at 23:38, Nudge said:

Mate are you just giving us your gut feeling as a supporter or do you have an authentic source for this information? Thanks

  On 30/05/2014 at 02:46, Curry & Beer said:

Mate are you just giving us your gut feeling as a supporter or do you have an authentic source for this information? Thanks

This is the nudge that does those excellent Trade period pieces with all the rumours collated in one post. So it isn't likely he knows more than we do.

And, no, Nudge, this isn't a 'go' at you and I am not being sarcastic about your trade period posts. I love those.

I am just going to take this post as seriously as I take those posts.