We are all extremely disappointed at Mitch Clark's apparent departure.

Sure he has had his battles both mental and physical, but he would have singlehandedly lead us to our next three flags.

He would be an excellent pick up for any club needing a power forward in a flag window. Could command a high price.

Edited September 8, 201411 yr by jabberwocky

We will surely be up for considerable compensation if this is true.

Possible sticking point: the contract.

If Melbourne simply 'took him on his word' and did not write a clause in his contract, than notwithstanding his appalling behavior, MFC's lawyers have something to answer for.

NEVER take anything for granted!

every non MFC person I have spoken to is disgusted by this as much as we are and every single one says we should be getting a Priority Pick in the top 5 as compensation

if that happens it's a win. I absolutely rate Clark but it is true that there is a decent chance he won't play many more games. If we have 3 in the top 5 we can really set ourselves up.

Of course, we will be starting 2015 ANOTHER 216 games experience down which is the last thing we need

unless of course we use picks to trade for established talent

Edited September 8, 201411 yr by Curry & Beer

We are all extremely disappointed at Mitch Clark's departure.

Sure he has had his battles both mental and physical, but he would have singlehandedly lead us to our next three flags.

He would be an excellent pick up for any club needing a power forward.

If his foot isn't stuffed and he is not too mentally scared.. Huge risk considering many have not come back from his foot injury. Would take a second round pick and a few extra buck in the bank and move on quite happily.

I for one understand the rationale behind the medical fraternity and the advice regarding the pressure to his mental state and playing AFL football. But to my thinking, firstly, there are no guarantees that going to any other club he will not be subjected to the same pressures and secondly, by turning his back on the MFC he will be attracting extra unwanted attention and pressure of being the player who turned his back on the club that went out of its way to help him.

A surprising revelation - I would have thought he is either well enough to play AFL football ( with us) or it is risk to his well being and stays retired.

I made the comment upon Neeld's selection that he could be the next premiership coach of the MFC or the last coach of the MFC. I was bloody close with the latter.

IF Clark leaves in this manner, it has the potential to rip the heart out of this club, or give it more than ever. Again, I hope I'm right with the latter.

If this doesn't galvanise the club, to unleash hell on the rest of the competition, what will?

I am prepared to wait for something official it may not be too far away.

Interesting tweet:

alex sommers‏@al_s2 hrs

@Robbo_heraldsun have a story for you re: Mitch Clark and Paul Roos meeting today. Interested? With photo

Now everyone will say what a good story it is his back playing again rather than the fact his shafted us.

It will be the opposite if the reaction on BF is anything to go by.

If Clark thinks he will be a feel good story by walking to another club and leaving the MFC twiddling its thumbs, I think he's in for a rude shock.

To use up all our money and fitness staff over this period of time while we are doing our best to help out this young man and to turn around just as the club can see some small amount of hope of our kids hero coming back out onto the MCG and being welcomed like a hero he turns and say thanks see ya is just beyond words. This guy has just lost so much respect and should be ashamed

I reckon if Mitch leaves in this manner he'll be taking the Norm Smith Curse with him

Norm Smith's Curse likes this - a sign from above?

Wow.

He was my daughters fav player and has his signed jersey. She is devastated.

We have a go at Watts and the Toump but geez at least they are sticking around to try and help the club.

This is disgusting.

What is it with Melbourne a current player wants to leave and even our retired player wants to leave.

My god when will this madness stop?

We need to use this to our advantage and draw a line in the sand.

Its time MFC.

If this doesn't galvanise the club, to unleash hell on the rest of the competition, what will?

Sorry- heard this line way too may times before....

This drama isnt a reflection on the MFC, the guy is a lying headcase

Stop bad mouthing the club just because some lunatic is about to burn us like he did to Brisbane and Freo

the MFC have done everything right by him, and as GNF said, were blindsided

So if the line he is taking is that his shrink doesn't think going back to Melbourne would be good for his health. How does he think he will cope with the absolute barrage of abuse he will cop in just about every game he plays for the rest of his career, and even in everyday life, especially if he stays in Melbourne. And I don't just mean from Melbourne fans, this will get extremely ugly.

I am prepared to wait for something official it may not be too far away.

Interesting tweet:

alex sommers‏@al_s2 hrs

@Robbo_heraldsun have a story for you re: Mitch Clark and Paul Roos meeting today. Interested? With photo

If Mitch think he needs to play finals footy to cure his depression then perhaps he needs to change Doctors.

Imagine it was geelong with frawley...

This story is now alllll over twitter and the radio. This is going to get very interesting.

If that was the case i suggest we wait to see what Mitch does in terms of helping the club get the best deal before losing it.

Agree absolutely.

Along with GNF I have pushed the "MC to play for the Dees again" line.

If GNF is correct and if MC has told the MFC the truth, this has come about due to his medical treatment. I have no clue as to the veracity of this.

Presumably until advised by his Doctors to play at another club, he was loyal and determined to resume with us.

That loyalty will now be put to the test as Robbie 57 suggests.

MC can insist that we get a good deal from his new club or refuse to play with them. Considering what we have done for him and paid him, I would expect nothing less.

I still believe as he is on our list we have the whip hand during trade week and as a result of the AFL Retirement Clause he could be bound to us for another year.

The AFL will have to look favourably on us given our position and what we have done for this player and what we stand to lose.

I think we need to draw breath, stop abusing this bloke from behind keyboards and await the final outcome.

No one could argue we got the better of the deal for the GWS player who left us.

We have PJ and Roos in charge to get the best deal out of this.

Lets see what happens, we may even be better off with what we end up with.

Remember if MC had stayed retired we would probably have got nothing.

Barassi, Jeff Farmer, Earle Spalding, Darren Jolly, Troy Simmonds, Stan Alves, crackers Keenan, Scott Thompson, bennell, several others I'll remember soon.

Really, you have to go back that far?

Depression be buggered this is a cynical episode of opportunism, as it now seems likely it was when he came to us.

Both the club and the AFL have to play hard ball with this for the precedent that it sets.

If he walks and we get squat, my days of following an AFL side are done.

This story is now alllll over twitter and the radio. This is going to get very interesting.

been on facebook pages for 36 hours and lots of naughty words

I think MC's doctor isn't aware of the diagnosis MFCSS! As a large group of ppl I would think we could provide 'peer support' groups/program's, and be an empathetic group of ppl assisting Mitch's mental needs. We could be very good for MC.

Not that this thread s a very good of example of a supportive environment. But, you need to understand anxiety and how that can change behaviours.

Im changing my moniker to Mark Neeld's Revenge

Demonlanders

LETS not abuse Mitch Clark or judge until we have heard from Mitch himself or the club. Lets just keep in cool until we get further understanding on what is going on.

Edited September 8, 201411 yr by The HuLK