GOODBYE MITCH CLARK

[Ethan Tremblay 30,966]

I don't think it's a good idea to respond to GNF's post straight away, like Roo's, I too have steam coming out of my ears. That will be all for now.

[Bang Bang Bang 5,839]

A mental illness is a serious issue but it doesn't excuse you from acting like a complete and utter [censored]. Scully looks like Mother Teresa in comparison to this.

Anyway, thanks for the update GNF. Clark can get stuffed.

[Moneider96 1,045]

"MFC Blindsided"

As many of know I have excellent contacts in the MFC at administration and board level. Over recent years despite the roll over of staff I have been able to maintain these contacts and often share some of what I am hearing with my fellow heavy hearted Dees members via this forum. After the weekends revelations I did not want to make comment on the MC situation until I had made the contact with my sources. This what I have been told.

• The decision to retire from AFL was always with MC health in mind. In reality it was always a break that may have become permanent rather than a retirement. MC always (even at the time of retirement) maintained ambitions to play again, play for the MFC and repay the MFC and its faithful for its investment and support. The decision to retire was ONLY to give MC the best chance of recovery by taking all pressure off him. The full process of playing in 2015 were set out in the retirement discussions. MC only ever expressed complete desire and loyalty to the MFC. As such MFC continued to support MC in the ABSOUTE belief that if fit he would play for MFC. Essentially the ball was left with MC. MC has been in regular contact with fitness staff and coaches and on a MFC derived fitness plan.
• MCs return to physical and mental health has been fantastic. So much so that up until about 2 weeks ago, the MFC were extremely confident he would be recontracted to play for the MFC in 2015. In fact the confidence I was hearing from within the club was much greater than what I expressed on Demonland. MFC were 100% certain that if MC did play it would be only in red & blue and it seemed the only question would be whether to rookie him or place him on the senior list.
• Approx. two weeks ago MC manager was contacted as to whether MC would attend the Best & Fairest and also to initiate contract discussions. Misson had been training with MC that day and had been excited by MC developing fitness. Contact between the club, MC, and his manager has been ongoing and until this point there had been no hint of dissatisfaction or expressed desire to play for anyone else. It was at this time that MC manager let the MFC know that MC did not wish to play for MFC next year and wanted to play for another Melbourne club.
• The club was completely blindsided. Roos had steam coming out of his ears. I have been told by one of my sources that Roos almost blew a blood vessel.

I think its fair to say, that Roos dig in his best fairest speech was directed squarely at MC.

Go Roosy! But in all seriousness...I have completely lost respect for that guy...something is seriously wrong with him, not including his depression

Edited September 8, 2014 by Moneider96

[felixdacat 459]

"MFC Blindsided"

As many of know I have excellent contacts in the MFC at administration and board level. Over recent years despite the roll over of staff I have been able to maintain these contacts and often share some of what I am hearing with my fellow heavy hearted Dees members via this forum. After the weekends revelations I did not want to make comment on the MC situation until I had made the contact with my sources. This what I have been told.

• The decision to retire from AFL was always with MC health in mind. In reality it was always a break that may have become permanent rather than a retirement. MC always (even at the time of retirement) maintained ambitions to play again, play for the MFC and repay the MFC and its faithful for its investment and support. The decision to retire was ONLY to give MC the best chance of recovery by taking all pressure off him. The full process of playing in 2015 were set out in the retirement discussions. MC only ever expressed complete desire and loyalty to the MFC. As such MFC continued to support MC in the ABSOUTE belief that if fit he would play for MFC. Essentially the ball was left with MC. MC has been in regular contact with fitness staff and coaches and on a MFC derived fitness plan.
• MCs return to physical and mental health has been fantastic. So much so that up until about 2 weeks ago, the MFC were extremely confident he would be recontracted to play for the MFC in 2015. In fact the confidence I was hearing from within the club was much greater than what I expressed on Demonland. MFC were 100% certain that if MC did play it would be only in red & blue and it seemed the only question would be whether to rookie him or place him on the senior list.
• Approx. two weeks ago MC manager was contacted as to whether MC would attend the Best & Fairest and also to initiate contract discussions. Misson had been training with MC that day and had been excited by MC developing fitness. Contact between the club, MC, and his manager has been ongoing and until this point there had been no hint of dissatisfaction or expressed desire to play for anyone else. It was at this time that MC manager let the MFC know that MC did not wish to play for MFC next year and wanted to play for another Melbourne club.
• The club was completely blindsided. Roos had steam coming out of his ears. I have been told by one of my sources that Roos almost blew a blood vessel.

I think its fair to say, that Roos dig in his best fairest speech was directed squarely at MC.

Thanks for the info GNF its goods to finally know one way or the other

[Jaded No More 68,973]

• The club was completely blindsided. Roos had steam coming out of his ears. I have been told by one of my sources that Roos almost blew a blood vessel.

I think its fair to say, that Roos dig in his best fairest speech was directed squarely at MC.

Did he give a reason why he wants to play for another club?!

I have no reason to not believe you, as you've always delivered the news.

This is the biggest betrayal of trust I can ever remember happening in the AFL. It is an utter disgrace if true, and I hope the club fights like hell and makes it incredibly difficult for MC to move.

It is beyond belief that somebody we over payed, and supported through a very difficult time in his life, would turn around and tell us he wants out.

I just don't even know what to say anymore.

MC was my favourite player, I admired him so much, even moreso for having gone through what he went through with such dignity. It breaks my heart to think he could turn out to be a lying unloyal scumbag.

I hope it's not true!

How do we keep getting screwed? We must have murdered thousands of puppies when nobody was looking.

[Redjacket 756]

"MFC Blindsided"

As many of know I have excellent contacts in the MFC at administration and board level. Over recent years despite the roll over of staff I have been able to maintain these contacts and often share some of what I am hearing with my fellow heavy hearted Dees members via this forum. After the weekends revelations I did not want to make comment on the MC situation until I had made the contact with my sources. This what I have been told.

• The decision to retire from AFL was always with MC health in mind. In reality it was always a break that may have become permanent rather than a retirement. MC always (even at the time of retirement) maintained ambitions to play again, play for the MFC and repay the MFC and its faithful for its investment and support. The decision to retire was ONLY to give MC the best chance of recovery by taking all pressure off him. The full process of playing in 2015 were set out in the retirement discussions. MC only ever expressed complete desire and loyalty to the MFC. As such MFC continued to support MC in the ABSOUTE belief that if fit he would play for MFC. Essentially the ball was left with MC. MC has been in regular contact with fitness staff and coaches and on a MFC derived fitness plan.
• MCs return to physical and mental health has been fantastic. So much so that up until about 2 weeks ago, the MFC were extremely confident he would be recontracted to play for the MFC in 2015. In fact the confidence I was hearing from within the club was much greater than what I expressed on Demonland. MFC were 100% certain that if MC did play it would be only in red & blue and it seemed the only question would be whether to rookie him or place him on the senior list.
• Approx. two weeks ago MC manager was contacted as to whether MC would attend the Best & Fairest and also to initiate contract discussions. Misson had been training with MC that day and had been excited by MC developing fitness. Contact between the club, MC, and his manager has been ongoing and until this point there had been no hint of dissatisfaction or expressed desire to play for anyone else. It was at this time that MC manager let the MFC know that MC did not wish to play for MFC next year and wanted to play for another Melbourne club.
• The club was completely blindsided. Roos had steam coming out of his ears. I have been told by one of my sources that Roos almost blew a blood vessel.

I think its fair to say, that Roos dig in his best fairest speech was directed squarely at MC.

If this is true then the MFC should sue him for time and money wasted. They should not give him up without adequate compensation and if that means forcing him to sit out 2015 then so be it.

[Robot Devil 1,895]

All I can see is torches and pitchforks on the horizon.

I haven't posted in this thread previously and probably will not in the future.

Good luck to you all... This will be ugly.

[Guest]

"MFC Blindsided"

As many of know I have excellent contacts in the MFC at administration and board level. Over recent years despite the roll over of staff I have been able to maintain these contacts and often share some of what I am hearing with my fellow heavy hearted Dees members via this forum. After the weekends revelations I did not want to make comment on the MC situation until I had made the contact with my sources. This what I have been told.

• The decision to retire from AFL was always with MC health in mind. In reality it was always a break that may have become permanent rather than a retirement. MC always (even at the time of retirement) maintained ambitions to play again, play for the MFC and repay the MFC and its faithful for its investment and support. The decision to retire was ONLY to give MC the best chance of recovery by taking all pressure off him. The full process of playing in 2015 were set out in the retirement discussions. MC only ever expressed complete desire and loyalty to the MFC. As such MFC continued to support MC in the ABSOUTE belief that if fit he would play for MFC. Essentially the ball was left with MC. MC has been in regular contact with fitness staff and coaches and on a MFC derived fitness plan.
• MCs return to physical and mental health has been fantastic. So much so that up until about 2 weeks ago, the MFC were extremely confident he would be recontracted to play for the MFC in 2015. In fact the confidence I was hearing from within the club was much greater than what I expressed on Demonland. MFC were 100% certain that if MC did play it would be only in red & blue and it seemed the only question would be whether to rookie him or place him on the senior list.
• Approx. two weeks ago MC manager was contacted as to whether MC would attend the Best & Fairest and also to initiate contract discussions. Misson had been training with MC that day and had been excited by MC developing fitness. Contact between the club, MC, and his manager has been ongoing and until this point there had been no hint of dissatisfaction or expressed desire to play for anyone else. It was at this time that MC manager let the MFC know that MC did not wish to play for MFC next year and wanted to play for another Melbourne club.
• The club was completely blindsided. Roos had steam coming out of his ears. I have been told by one of my sources that Roos almost blew a blood vessel.

I think its fair to say, that Roos dig in his best fairest speech was directed squarely at MC.

[censored]

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

[Ethan Tremblay 30,966]

Do your worst Dunn.

[Deecisive 1,709]

disappointing GNF.

[Cards13 9,117]

Gulp... we are going so well even retired players want to leave us.

What a downer, again was really trying to hide my excitement when GNF had discussed the MC status early on but totally deflated about this. Footy is totally losing me, so much so I doubt I'll even watch the GF this year here is hoping for a sunny day so I can spend it down the beach in the 'Bay.

[Pirlo 813]

The Bosman rule in soccer, anyone familiar?

This will become the Clark rule.

I want to wait until Mitch Clark officially confirms it himself before I say what I want to say to him.

Mitch - we're waiting.

[daisycutter 29,737]

He is no longer contracted for next year so whether we delist or fail to re-sign him is academic. Either way we have no leverage at all.

GNF what you have relayed is the way I was thinking it must have played out and if it's the case then I and the club and it's supporters would have every right to be furious with Clark. We should be playing hardball now even if it's to our detriment - tell him we will refuse to trade him and if he doesn't re-sign with us we will take him with pick 2 in the PSD. St. Kilda would be our only risk there and I doubt he'd want to end up there either despite what Patrick Smith has said.

my reasoning is that (end of contract timing) was all part of the total agreement which would come into play at delistment time

it all revolved around him retiring

if he doesn't retire then he is not complying with the agreement therefore all aspects of the agreement would be up in the air

hence it could revert to the prior contract term (ie 2015)

at least that was my reasoning

i also thought the afl brought a rule in covering un-retiring to stop the mal michael situation recurring, but i don't know the details

[Pirlo 813]

This will be Scully x 100, can't wait until the raft of Demon mad QC's get onto it pro bono.

[Striker475 696]

This is going to be huge. Lots of people going to side with Melbourne on this one.

[Dalrot 85]

I actually hope that parasite Barrett reports this so that everyone can see what a piece of scum Clark is.

[Grand New Flag 3,227]

The reason given was medical. MC is scared about falling back into depression..... which is fair enough. MFC reminded him of a time when he was in a very dark place. His doctors recommended not moving back and suggest a fresh environment.

[Jaded No More 68,973]

This is going to be huge. Lots of people going to side with Melbourne on this one.

I actually question why somebody who is already struggling with depression, would put himself in such a position?

He is already copping it, and nothing has been made official.

Why on earth put a target on your head? It makes no sense.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Everyone should wait until it is official before writing things they might later regret.

[ManDee 7,222]

Time to chill, we need to keep in mind the end game.

In chess when you lose your queen early you want to strike back instantly. Think of the end game, keep your cards close to your chest and when the times comes come out all guns blazing!

There, is that enough mixed metaphors?

Roos and co will not take this lightly, we will come out guns blazing at the appropriate time.

I cannot wait to see the outcome. I think for Mitch's health he should reconsider, because if he wants to avoid pressure leaving the MFC in these circumstances will not help his health, and I would be fairly sure MFC supporters and possibly others will give him hell.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Thanks for the info GNF.

I think what makes me really really angry is the statement ages ago when Mitch said one of the contributing factors to his depression was that he was getting paid so much money and not contributing to the club.

That to me implied extreme loyalty on his part. Coupled with the emotion he showed in the interview where he spoke about Jim Stynes' death, I thought his loyalty was beyond reproach.

And now he wants to leave.

I am bitterly disappointed by this news.

[Pirlo 813]

The reason given was medical. MC is scared about falling back into depression..... which is fair enough. MFC reminded him of a time when he was in a very dark place. His doctors recommended not moving back and suggest a fresh environment.

I expect he will be leaving the AFL, his partner and he city of Melbourne then. He'll also be bleaching his hair and dying his skin.

You can't run away from adult responsibility like he has, especially with what you said about him using Misson like he has.

[Little Richard 6,265]

The reason given was medical. MC is scared about falling back into depression..... which is fair enough. MFC reminded him of a time when he was in a very dark place. His doctors recommended not moving back and suggest a fresh environment.

Isn't the club now a vastly different place to what it was? And we helped him get back on his feet. WTF.

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Josh M's comments sounded a lot like a blindsided MFC.