CAN WE SELECT HIM THIS WEEK "PLEASE"

Surely he can walk as a DFA?

Whately checked with the AFL today and confirmed that Mitch is still on Melbourne's list. The speculation was that it would take their first rounder for Freo to land him if the Dees were prepared to trade. I reckon it's all just a media beat up, but we can always hope ......... after all, that's all we have survive on these days.

Tweeted Mon that it was 'a perfect day for a recovery swim down at St Kilda'

Surely that's safer than swimming at Cottesloe, especially during the pre season months.

I mentioned on FaceBook that he was still on our list and therefore we had first call on him as long as that remained the case.

I was howled down by a couple of people who claimed that because he had retired, Mitch would have to go into the draft.

Does anyone know what the rule actually is?

Does it matter what the rule is?

AFL will just make something up.

I mentioned on FaceBook that he was still on our list and therefore we had first call on him as long as that remained the case.

I was howled down by a couple of people who claimed that because he had retired, Mitch would have to go into the draft.

Does anyone know what the rule actually is?

My understanding is that retired players do not become DFAs because that would rort the system (i.e. players just 'retire' to get out of contracts, then 'change their mind' and walk to the club of their choice).

So, if he's formally retired, then I expect the AFL will prevent him from walking to any club and would require him to go through the draft.

If he hasn't retired, then I suppose he's still on our list and if he wanted to play for someone else we would be able to trade him.

Whately checked with the AFL today and confirmed that Mitch is still on Melbourne's list. The speculation was that it would take their first rounder for Freo to land him if the Dees were prepared to trade. I reckon it's all just a media beat up, but we can always hope ......... after all, that's all we have survive on these days.

Freo's first rnd pick is somewhere in the 16-20 range. Mitch is worth a top 10 pick because a) we paid pick 12 for him and b) there is a premium on forwards like him...just look at what clubs are prepared to put up for Patton, Boyd or Cameron.

Top 10 pick or their ist rnd (pick 16 to 20) plus a very good player! Nothing less!!

Up to Freo then to find that top 10 pick or the right (midfield) player.

I mentioned on FaceBook that he was still on our list and therefore we had first call on him as long as that remained the case.

I was howled down by a couple of people who claimed that because he had retired, Mitch would have to go into the draft.

Does anyone know what the rule actually is?

a lot will depend on what actually occurred ( as opposed to media reporting) did he retire ? did he ?

isn't his partner here in Melbourne, his ex is in W.A and his kid but I'm pretty sure his partner is in Melbourne.

a lot will depend on what actually occurred ( as opposed to media reporting) did he retire ? did he ?

Yeh thats true, depends on any agreements or clauses. It may have been termed a 'retirement' with an option that leaves the door ajar to make a return for melbourne or something like that. Who knows. Prob only mitch, his management and the club.

and none of those three want to stir up attention related to the possibility for a multitude of reasons,

he aint on our list according to what Josh Mahony said following his departure. Any if people think we would get a first rounder your dreaming! He was worth pick 12 3 years ago before missing 2 years with foot injuries, and depression. Be lucky to get a second rounder

When Mal Michael was picked up by Essendon after he had retired, Brisbane had no claim on Michael, so Essendon was able to pick Michael up in the pre-season draft. Brisbane just had to suck it.

There was talk after that happened that clubs would in future insert clauses in player contracts which would tie up players to stop them coming out of retirement and swapping clubs.

Maybe the AFL also altered the rules.

Can almost be guaranteed one thing in all of this and that is "we will be screwed over" no matter what happens.

It's the Melbourne/AFL way!

There's a thread in the trading/drafting forum, and in there it was mentioned if he were to return to AFL it was indicated he would most likely give Melbourne first look in.

I would say his chances of playing AFL next year are only slightly better than Jurrah's.

There's a thread in the trading/drafting forum, and in there it was mentioned if he were to return to AFL it was indicated he would most likely give Melbourne first look in.

I would say his chances of playing AFL next year are only slightly better than Jurrah's.

Imagine MC, LJ, CD and JH in the forward line.

That would be nice.

Oh to dream

Imagine MC, LJ, CD and JH in the forward line.

That would be nice.

Oh to dream

With AW at their feet.

I think that unless Mitch were a sure thing, it would be best for all concerned for him to be traded to Freo. He could live with his family, we could get a pick that we could either use or trade for another established player with less of a cloud over him, and Fremantle would be given a great forward/injury prone investment that may push them over the line to the Premiership.

Freo's first rnd pick is somewhere in the 16-20 range. Mitch is worth a top 10 pick because a) we paid pick 12 for him and b) there is a premium on forwards like him...just look at what clubs are prepared to put up for Patton, Boyd or Cameron.

Top 10 pick or their ist rnd (pick 16 to 20) plus a very good player! Nothing less!!

Up to Freo then to find that top 10 pick or the right (midfield) player.

Have a cold shower mate.

Clark has missed two seasons with foot injuries and couldn't even train this year without doing a series of soft tissue injuries.

He's been out of the system for the better part of a year and lost all conditioning.

He is such a speculative selection and I can hardly see a bidding war erupting given west coast's plethora of talls - you'd be lucky to get freo's 3rd round pick.

Have a cold shower mate.

Clark has missed two seasons with foot injuries and couldn't even train this year without doing a series of soft tissue injuries.

He's been out of the system for the better part of a year and lost all conditioning.

He is such a speculative selection and I can hardly see a bidding war erupting given west coast's plethora of talls - you'd be lucky to get freo's 3rd round pick.

You underrate Mitch Clark. 3rd round pick? yep see ya there mate

My initial reaction to the thought of Mitch playing for another club was outrage. The more rational view would be to think that someone with depression of such severity would find it very hard to return to the place that he felt so unhappy. I may be wrong but I don't think so.

It would make sense for us to get a trade if possible to make it fair for both parties.

My initial reaction to the thought of Mitch playing for another club was outrage. The more rational view would be to think that someone with depression of such severity would find it very hard to return to the place that he felt so unhappy. I may be wrong but I don't think so.

It would make sense for us to get a trade if possible to make it fair for both partoouu

our culture must of been pretty bad...

our culture must of been pretty bad...

From what I heard It was more that Mitch felt frustrated that he couldn't contribute and was letting the team down. There were probably issues outside footy as well. Whatever the reasons it would be difficult to revisit the place of such misery.

From what I heard It was more that Mitch felt frustrated that he couldn't contribute and was letting the team down. There were probably issues outside footy as well. Whatever the reasons it would be difficult to revisit the place of such misery.

I don't think it's as easy as that. You can have a great job, great wife, great friends and still be followed by the black dog, Or you can live in a cardboard box and be upbeat that tomorrow will be a better day. It's more about how you filter the outside world. If you are depressed then the filter is off kilter and only lets in and magnifies the bad things, and those bad things are usually the things that reflect on your perceived self worth rather than a given situation.

I posted this in another thread last night in regard to Mitch Clark

His manager Colin Young was on the radio tonight to respond to the rumours that have been circling

• Mitch Clark is in Melbourne and has just sold his house
• The plan was to return to Perth (not for football) but his partner is studying to be a surgeon
• Categorically put to bed any contact with the WA based clubs
• Mitch is in good spirits and after spending 6-8 weeks doing nothing thought it was time for him to get fit again, so has been boxing training for a while
• Melbourne clubs have been in contact with Young asking about Mitch's health and if he will return to football
• At this stage Clark has no intention of playing AFL footy next year.
• Young believes if Clark did have thoughts about playing again he would make contact with Melbourne, but he(Young) thinks Melbourne have moved on with their future plans
• Clark remains in contact with the Demons players and played golf with them recently
• Young meets with Mitch every 3 weeks and next week is just another meeting
• Clark still has a manager because he is under contract to Young till October 31st 2014

That is a quick snapshot of what came out of the managers mouth, BUT I IN NO WAY TRUST MANAGERS