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Chris Dawes speaking very well on ABC radio, basically said Mitch is suffering big mental health demons that have occurred as an accumulation of being regularly injured and not being ably to get on the park, and feeling like he is letting everyone down etc. Said that everyone at melbourne couldn't care less about him coming back to football, they only care about him getting his mental health in check. Said that too often mental health issues at football clubs are just pushed aside and people are told to "man up." Said that now it's out in the open they (MFC and the public) will give Mitch the privacy, and support he deserves to get him self right mentally, before even talking about football. Listen to it if you can, Dawes spoke beautifully, as per usual.

Good luck to Mitch. I'd be shocked if he ever plays again. Whenever I get angry and disheartened about Melbourne I always think enough is enough and I should move on. Then I drink some concrete, harden the [censored] up and wait for the next crap thing to happen to this club.

This is indicative of the awful attitudes people have to mental health issues in sport. I would say 'you should be ashamed' but you wouldn't understand.

If we release him from his contract, I'm sure there will be some clause in there preventing him from playing football until the end of his contract. We have to be understanding and kind, but we also need to ensure that Mitch won't waltz over to one of our rivals when he overcomes his issues.

Says it all, really! (I'm a 60 year old, life-long supporter who, as Flanagan so aptly puts it, "just keeps on keeping on"...! I just cut and pasted his article into an email to my daughter, another loyal Dees follower. Have to admit doing it through misty eyes. This morning I've watched the interviews with Roos, Jack Viney & Daniel Cross. And, I've read the article reporting there's every chance that Mitch Clark is finished. There's an ache in my heart. And, I'll be watching the game tomorrow, hoping against hope that the boys can get it together for a win...)

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.

I always enjoy seeing Richmond lose. It's comforting to know there are other supporters out there who have been let down year after year.

I like you're passion and I don't disagree But you're grip on reality I struggle to agree with... Mitch needs to what's best for Mitch which may not be at the Mfc... The club needs to get behind him but move on on field as well

I agree with most of this, but the last line is stupid. The club are doing everything right by Clark, they are not trying to get rid of him.

Lyon and Roos know each other well. I reckon in this situation there would be a bit of honour.

If he wants to do the best thing by us then he would remain on the list on some reduced salary and then allow us to trade him to the Dockers for some compensation next year. That way he could be assured of getting there (which he can't through the draft). Sad situation.

The article may well be true. But I just hate the journalistic license used by Robbo. "Although it hasn't been officially discussed" "Without trying to be melodramatic,it is understood" "It is said that a return to footy is not forthcoming in his mind" "The club would like nothing better than for him to return and if it meant sending him overseas for specialist treatment on his hamstring and calf muscles." I like the last quote the best. If nothing has been officially discussed how can he state the last one. The whole article is just full of Red Wine meanderings.

I hope we dont use this cap space to pay Frawley to stay. He is a tough defender though not worth more then 600k imo. I hope we use it as a warchest on the open market

Go blow a goat, you brain dead child.

If you are referring to Nathan Jones you are seriously misguided and could not have watched the first 2 games of the year.

When the tide does turn (and after some reflection I think it will be sooner than some think) it will turn quickly. I'm not talking about domination just competitiveness. In 2010 Richmond was the worst team since Fitzroy. Last year the Doggies were on a 15-16 game losing streak. Ours has been prolonged for numerous reasons but I think we will see improvement by the end of the year and into next year. When the tide does turn it is going to feel that much better cheering the Mighty Demons on to a win at the G knowing the collective hell this club has been through the last few years and knowing we die hards have endured it and come out the other side. Think back to some of our best wins at the G in recent years (the Queens Bday games 2000, 2004-2007, Essendon 2010-2012, the QF in 2000, 2004 R18 v Hawthorn etc) and remember how it felt when the red and blue were up and cheering in the stands. That will return and when it does it will be even better than before.

Some of the posts on this thread are truly ignorant and reprehensible. Picket fence especially, you are a pill.

I think Trengove would have and should have been dropped last year and only the captaincy probably saved him!

Clark is an on field leader, this guy is tough as nails and plays with passion. It will be a sad day if he leaves, he buys and sells Frawley. So let's not make this a chip thread. Clark would be perfect for Hogan, Clark pays his way if we can get him out there. I still believe in Mitch Clark, I don't care if anyone else does, but Clark is a star. Come back Mitch, you have some loyal supporters who have your back mate. I won't be renewing my membership until you return.

It's sad and a touch ironic that he feels he is letting the club down when leaving would be doing just that. I honestly do feel though that if his heart is not in it then he should retire, he's going through a life altering period which could decide his quality of life after football. It really is a shame that he can't seem to process the idea that the club is there to support him, not the other way around. Put aside the coin he's on he's just another player that when he takes the field he has a role to play in a team. I was prepared for this when it was announced he'd been granted leave for personal reasons, but part of me still holds out hope that he'll do a Lazarus and decide to fight his way back. That said, if his body isn't letting him there isn't too much he can do. All the best Mitch, do what ya have to do.

When our drafting improves and they stop picking skinny kids

If this wasn't so tragic for us it would be comical. Two players Toumpas and Tengove both who are slow are dropped . Well what not a surprise. Just adds more weight to the Ollie Wines Drafting fiasco.

What a writer. He always seems to capture the essence of the supporter.

Yeah if we lose Frawley we could use that money to lure an All-Australian key defender, maybe an unrestricted free agent..... Oh wait....

If he goes, and I hope he doesn't, it just confirms we are jinxed however what's best for Clark's well being is paramount. It must be killing him not being able to perform.

the tale of cheney's kicking proves that team mates providing good options is very very important to the perception of how good a kick someone is.

Then for god's sake don't come onto the thread. He is currently on the MFC list, he is the highest paid player, he maybe the most talented on the list. People are going to want to discuss him.

That chase is a revealing snapshot for what is wrong with our club. Takes a few bad eggs not supporting their teamates to make us look real bad.Should have been a 2 on 2 situation. McDonald to Shuey. Frawley to Darling if he chased. He was not far away. McDonald started to cover the overlap from Shuey expecting Frawley to go to Darling. McDonald sensing no pressure from Frawley then had to go for ball carrier Darling and managed to cramp him up forcing the handball to now wide open Shuey and then continued to chase him in vain to goal. Frawley was just spectating in no mans land. If I were McDonald I would have blasted him.

Clashes with no team

A very intelligent man and a very good writer. I often wonder if the injured/squad players should sit with the cheer squad on game day one weekend. I know it would be illogical in some cases, but can you imagine if gawn, garland, Dawes, hogan, tapscott and blease all went and sat down next to the dedicated members in the demon army and saw that they ride every turnover, every lazy chase or 1 handed mark attempt. I wonder if it would give them even 1% when they get their next chance, realising that by not getting the best out of themselves doesn't just do themselves a disservice, it really hurts the morale of the average club supporter who still goes every week. Afurthermore, magine if it moved them enough that they spoke to the other players, namely frawley, watts, Howe etc, and explained that every time you accepted your errors or lazy approach, thousands of already dispirited supporters and members just get that little bit closer to breaking point.

I don't think Trengove's issues can't be fixed, but it's all upstairs for him. He should have a poster of Jobe Watson on his wall. He's still younger than Jobe was when he turned it around.

I would be dirty if he played with Freo or WC. He said he wanted to be remembered as a Melbourne player and our great Jimmy Stynes handed him his old guernsey and said do us proud son. That would change everything. We traded pick 12 for him and payed him heaps for no return. When will we get our hard nosed Grant Birchall, Joel Selwood types who rarely get injured and love the contested footy, but come with skills and a footy brain.

starting to get sick of this poor mitch thread if he is depressed about not being able to play so be it being injured is not the end of the world just ask Gumbleton ,shaun rehn David shwartz,Trent henchell, and so on these players overcome numerous serious injuries and played again.And after what I have been through the last 6 months being depressed because I cant play footy doesn't add up to me must be more to it

Just brilliant. Flanagan never takes cheap shots at our club; instead he captures the essence of our supporters and the struggle we have supporting the team we love.

i haven't seen anything awesome about Gawn thus far apart from his height measurement.

I think the writings on the wall. Id actually be surprised if he didnt retire.

I don't see how the club cannot prioritise towards a key forward. Basically there is only one key forward on the list of any genuine long term value and even he has back stress fractures and is yet to play a game. Clarks future is increasingly murky, Dawes body is unreliable. Ideally the club should try and pair Hogan with a key forward running mate for the next 10 years, similar to Hawthorn's Roughead/Franklin blueprint. Wright's ruck ability makes him an incredibly interesting prospect, he would be, from a structural standpoint, highly ideal and there are other viable forwards as well. Obviously the club have been unlucky that the forward trio havent come up but that there is no young forward on the list, bar Max King, is an oversight. The club has used premium material on Tyson, Vince, Viney, Salem and Toumpas, traded for Michie and committed to Watts playing up the ground, it now needs to invest in other areas a bit more aggressively. Obviously if a priority pick is involved and or a Frawley compo pick, that gives the club a bit more flexibility but the likelihood of the forward talent avallable and our needs point towards that path. Would need to be a terrific mid with pace and elite kicking, a counterpointing compliment to Dom Tyson, to warrant another approach.

If Clark is willing to come forward and take a pay cut whilst on leave then I think it says a great lot about his character. AFL contracts are pretty tight and in the players favour, he'd probably have a chunk of accumulated sick leave from his career to date that he could take whilst on big coin and possible then turn up and give minimum effort and pocket most of his pay day. If he restructures his deal to much less money (possible with incentives if he does return) then it will be good for everyone (except his manager). If he retires then I'm not sure footy was the real problem. If he asks to be released from his deal ASAP with minimal pay out and then moves back to Perth with the possibility of AFL for Eagles or Dockers/WAFL footy in 2015 then again so be it. Maybe he was a ticking time bomb and 4 years and more was too long to hope for him to stay fit and productive but after watching his half season in 2012 I refuse to believe he didn't enter in to his contract with perfect good faith to deliver.

Buddy leaving was the best thing to happen to them His contract will kill the Swans for the next decade and maybe longer The Haws are dominating and will have plenty of cash to spend this FA period Scary

Guys this is very sketchy and light on as i was on the job, but there's plenty of time to peek when in heavy traffic. From what i could make out.... Training started early for a smaller group around 10ish. My understanding it was those involved in the clearance work at the center bounce as there was ball up ruck/tapping drills (positional work?) going on with a group in the middle. One player involved in the rucking side had heavy knee or thigh padding on. Couldn't make him out but looked too slim for Pencil. Tom McDonald lol? About 10.30ish i noticed some regular kicking/passing drills happening with all players involved including the outs, Toump, Michie and Trengove. On my last trip, about 11ish, there was definitely a scratch match on. Seemed like a full hit out and lasted till about 12.15ish or 12.30 Sorry for the lack of details, and the exact times are very loose, but that's as good as i could see from where i was.

Gone. Shame. Take care big man.

This Mitch Clark situation is a true ball breaker. Completely ignoring his personal issues because I have no idea, but from a purely selfish point of view, we can't afford to lose one of our best two or three (arguably most) best, most important and inspirational players, especially given the lack of quality and heart on our current list.

Not the worst notion. He'll struggle to keep his spot once Stratton and Lake come back, so he could be up for it. We got rid of him because we couldn't fix his disposal. Now that someone else has, why not? This is very true. When I think of Cheney I always think back to an incident I saw at Casey. Under no pressure, he went for a 30m pass across goal to an unmarked teammate. He missed so badly that the opposition got to the ball first. He then charged in and won the ball back himself, only to kick it out on the full. For most of his career that summed him up. He has always been a hard-at-it ball-winner, but his kicking let him down so badly that even with the ball-winning you just couldn't play him in your side (even for us who play McKenzie and TMac regularly). I think it is an enormous credit to the development work they do at the Hawks that they have taken a player we gave up on and over the course of a few years managed to rehabilitate him to the point that they can play him as an undersized CHB and have no concerns either about his competitiveness or his disposal. He's not the brilliant penetrating kick that some of them are, but as long as he has a teammate moving into space for him he's hitting his targets when he should. Frankly, that would rate him in the top 5 field kicks at Melbourne right now.

Yeah just what we want, our players leaving us mid year. Mid year trades will only hurt clubs not in contention.

Dawes ran out on game day last year and didn't play. To avoid dissapointment I wait for the opening bounce for a player to be declared fit.

Also: Evans > Trengove Viney > Michie (over first few steps anyway) Kent > Toumpas Definitely trying to up the pace in the team to help ball movement. Downside is we probably lose fitness, but we are coming up against a young team who have lots of speed but ran out of puff at the end of quarters last week against the saints anyway. Trengove should watch some Jobe Watson or Jimmy Bartel tapes to see how those players can play fast despite lack of leg speed

I personally never gloat in the misfortunes of guys who are willing to work their butt off for the benefit of the club plus run hard and attack the ball when playing for the team. Especially when so many others of late haven't done that. But I do agree Trengove will benefit from some time in the reserves if managed correctly. The first thing that needs to be addressed is how to get him to play good footy whilst limited by his speed. What I'd be doing is planting him square in the centre and developing his confidence in his inside game. Plus also working on his quickness to hide his speed. By that I mean he has to run learn how to change directions, stop and prop, push off etc so that he's not exploited for pace.

Roosy recognised me from my efl days when I played against his brother and said gday. I mentioned I had my gear in the car and he asked if i wanted to put a few of the guys through their paces, like the old days. Wattsy and I ventured away from the main group with Roosy kicking the ball long to centre half foward from the goal square where Jack and I starting on the goal line had to retreive the ball and slot it through the big sticks. I hit Jack hard hip to hip putting him off balance and then kicked him in the ankle taking him down .Roosy told him to get on with it and Jack gave me a jumper punch to the throat and Roosy cracked a half smile. . We repeated the drill, this time I grabbed Jack front on by the jumper pulled him around and threw him down with a short right Jab to the jaw . Jack replied with Barry Hall esque choke hold befiiting his 91kg frame that almost had me seeing black. With Jack fuming and his face a demon shade of red we repeated the drill. We both sprinted with Jack running ahead and taking the bouncing slippery ball beautifully with his left hand low to the ground turning back towards myself and launching into this sore and sorry clown who is typing this from his hospital bed in the severe trauma unit at the austin. Jack kicked a goal and Roosy let him know he could play forward this week.

We will start to improve when we stop making excuses. I have never known a sporting organisation to make and accept so many excuses. Still cannot believe the talk last week about forgetting about the scoreboard and I almost vomitted when I heard Jack Grimes was asked whether Paul Roos' contract situation is a distraction to the players. Bugger me how many things can people think up to excuse this lot. Paul Roos' contract didn't make Grimes fumble and bumble his way through the game last weekend. Paul Roos' contract ins't making Jack Trengove, for some bizarre reason, slow down and steady himself BEFORE HE EVEN GETS THE BALL! What these blokes are turning out is way below what we should expect from them, and there are still people that defend some of these things. I remember watching Mark Baguley playing what I think might have been his second game for Essendon back in 2012 on a Friday night vs. Geelong. Watching it, I felt sorry for him because I thought 'Geez this bloke is so far out of his depth it isn't funny'. He looked way too slow for the game, couldn't hit a target and couldn't stop his man for love nor money. I thought there's no way they can play this bloke again. But the mistakes he was making aren't acceptable at Essendon. Whatever they told him, taught him, demanded from him or he demanded from himself he was able to cut those mistakes out and has been able to establish himself as a reliable role player for them within a very short period of time. Now you can't tell me he is considerably more talented than many of the players we have? And I don't believe it comes down to coaching. It comes down to what level of performance is acceptable at the football club. We are still excusing too many mistakes from people who shouldn't be committing them.

I dont think there will be a massive improvement from what we saw in the initial NAB rounds. However saying that,those games were a massive improvement on what we saw last year. With the return of some tall forwards, the return of Garland, some assistance to Jake (Jamar/Gawn) and the grunt of Viney I believe we will all be pleasanatly surprised. The players have to not only learn an entirely new game plan but we also have a mid field who have had two games together. Most of us know that putting it together on the training track is easy and much more difficult to do it under pressure on game day. We are playing a compromised game plan caused by having a compromised playing list. Improvement will come slowly and anyone who expected otherwise this year was sadly out of step with reality. Like Saty I have every faith in Roos and to hear him admit that he was part of the debacle on Sunday because he coached badly was music to my ears. When was the last time if ever did we hear Neeld ever take responsibility for anything that happened last year. Roos now has to ensure the players play to his plan but more importantly he has to deal with the mental issues that the players have been left with from the last couple of years. If anyone can do all of this it is Roosy and his crack team of coaches. I don't ever believe that the team is as bad as they looked on Sunday but as soon as WC had kicked a couple of goals and we were 0.0, their heads went down - with a big sign going up - here we go again. To me this is the biggest hurdle that Roosy has to fix. There were no signs of fumbling against Saints like what was displayed on Sunday. They do have the skills but I am not sure of the belief in themselves.