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Each year the AFLPA hands out an award for the ‘Most Courageous Player.’ This year I would love to see them award it to Mitch Clark or perhaps Simon Hogan (before him) – two guys who have walked away from what is a seemingly glamorous and highly-paid profession (which they no doubt worked hard to reach in the first place) to address their mental health issues away from the public eye and the high pressure environment at the club. Mental Health/Suicide is one of the biggest killers among young men in Australia and I think that the actions of those two guys will inspire many other young guys to realise that it is not a sign of weakness to seek help. To me, the decision that Mitch (and Simon) made required much more courage than any act that is possible on a football field and it is a credit to them and the clubs for handling it the way they have.

So long Mitch Clark. You came to us under a siege of doubt, disbelief and mockery from other AFL club supporters and some MFC fans. But within a few games you completely blew them all out of the water and showed more heart, spirit and guts than i had seen at the MFC for a very long time (bar N. Jones). All the best with your recovery, and it goes to show how minuscule a thing football is, in context to life and it's challenges. Look forward to following your photography career, ya' got talent son.

i would think an admission of clinical depression should be enough closure for any supporter what more do you want - a current affair type tell all- sheesh

To quote our 6 year old. "But everybody loved him. I don't want a different favourite player, Mitch is the best"

I suffer clinical depression and find it hard to motivate myself to go to work as a teacher. It must be significantly harder to do that when you also have to perform at an elite level as an AFL player. I wish Mitch all the best and am sure that he will be happier in photography. I think that those of you who think he will play AFL again are kidding yourselves!

As someone who treats depression (including severe and suicidal), it is useful to stand back and get some perspective. Here is a young man who is probably feeling hopeless and helpless about moving forward. He has probably been advised to change his circumstances, to remove stressors which he feels contribute to his negative affect. I hope he finds peace, and can break the viscous cycle which depression can cause. Anyone suffering, reach out to appropriate support. I recommend 'breaking the patterns of depression' by Dr Michael Yapko if anyone is looking for some guidance from perhaps the worlds best in the field. I like that my team handled this so maturely.

Funny how I could see this coming from a mile off and yet it's done little to soften the blow. I suppose I was in more than a little denial. I'm shattered for him, the club, and my own dismal morale. Best of luck Mitch. Hope you find your happy place.

Regardless of the result I will be furious if we don't at least match the Blues in the intensity and aggression stakes. Their captain has promised a more aggressive effort this week and their president has basically said they need to come out breathing fire. There is no doubt Carlton will come out very hard after the week they will have, and they know they are playing a poor side which will give them confidence to go after us. I can take losing, because they are currently a better side than us, but I will lose all faith in the playing group if we just let them physically dominate us from the start. If guys like Robinson and Waite run around dishing it out and we just cop it, then to me that will feel worse than losing the game. After all, we've been battered around more than them over the years and there's no reason why our players should not come out just as physical and intent on sending a message. Our leaders must set the tone - I know people have been bagging Grimes but I'm a fan of his. Having said that I would love to see a bit of nastiness from him this week. Get angry.

From this article: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-defender-james-frawley-puts-800000-bounty-on-his-head-to-switch-clubs/story-fni5f91a-1226877161611 You don't say!

Agree with most of the posts here and quite impressed by the class and sensitivity of posters.... knowing that deep down we are all thinking it sucks like a Hoover.

It's been brimming all week but I officially cried when I heard the news. Thanks for the memories. X

Why are people so hostile towards his contract? We can't talk about it without acknowledging and respecting his issue? There is another issue at play here: the one of a football club struggling for leaders, with a history of poor recruiting and bad luck. Doesn't anyone else want to know, "What next?" Or are we all just going to sit here typing in a circle jerk and one massive crying session. All the best for the bloke. But I want to know how my club is being compensated. Life goes on. There is a football match to be played.

I hear what you're saying but there are too many players that haven't developed to be coincidence. Trengove would have been in every teams top 3 picks in his year. Morton also, some clubs had him number 1. You can go on. It's not all development and it's not all drafting, it's got to be a combination of both. I think our major opportunity was in 2008 when we clearly identified the wrong type of player. We needed genuine mids and instead went for talented flankers. We could have had Shuey, Redden (or Beams), Sloane and Rockliff (although he was not seen as a genuine mid). Instead we went for skilled kicking flankers in Blease, Strauss, Bennell and Jetta. That's the draft that makes me cry.

Life line Australia 13 11 14

TSFKA, I wholeheartedly agree. Our society does not yet collectively understand mental illness. When someone's lungs fail and they get cancer, they receive universal support and compassion. When someone's blood-pump fails and they have a heart attack, they receive universal support and compassion. When their brain malfunctions and they fall into depression, they receive... derision. It's a terrible shame. I've personally supported a dear friend through a deep, deep depression and it is incredibly difficult for all involved. I can't speak for how it would feel personally - thankfully - but from the outside looking in, trying to help, I can say with certainty that it looks like hell. Well done Mitch, for being a role-model that others having trouble with depression can look to for inspiration. I'm sure many others will seek professional help, with the help of their friends and family, thanks to Mitch's bravery in making this declaration. He could easily have lied and pretended his foot was never going to be right to play again, but he's made a conscious decision to do it this way, which I'm sure is for the benefit of others rather than himself. Truly a team player, and a fabulous human being. I'll miss him, and wish him all the best.

Who gives a [censored] about the contract. Shattered. Get well Mitch.

I can't either. Which reminds me. I had to laugh hearing Malthouse say he didn't see the loss against the bombers coming. He really was Neelds mentor wasn't he.

I just re-read this. Does it mean this week he has injured his back?

dead right, the first thing that Roos said when he walked through the door is " culture is player driven, especially by the leaders" Trenners gave up the captaincy because he knew he needed to become a good player, Nathan Jones took it and gave us the captain we deserved, Frawley puts a bounty on his head and says sorry this is too hard.

I could blame him! Don't hold the club to ransom. Improvement starts from within - stand up, Frawley! Offer him 600k plus incentives and see what happens. Selfish, dumb footballer.

I'll probably get shot down pretty quickly for this but........ Is this the week the Doom and Gloom stops and some positivity starts? I like many of you have had to put up with a lot of rubbish and bad times over the past few years and the year to date has been pretty poor. I've thought about it and although I was upset when GWS kicked away in the last I am going to get up and about for this game against the Blues for a couple of reasons.... I've watched the Blues a few times this year and they are front runners - if we can get first hands on the ball we're a big chance. They also have mediocre talls much like us at the moment which evens up the game as we are ok defensively, we're not great but we are not bleeding goal upon goal. The Blues are playing bruise free footy - lets not tippy toe around it (I watched Sunday and they were poor) this style of footy the Blues play would really give our blokes some more time to make decisions and use the pill a lot better - much like the NAB Challenge game against the Tigers where actually we looked ok. I don't normally get too optimistic about the Dees these days and I'll readily admit the Blues are a lot better unit on paper. But maybe just maybe this Is a week where a couple boys come in (Dawes etc) find some form pull something out of the hat? C'mon Dees - it's about bloody time to beat these bastards and put them where we've been for a few years now! Go boys!

I'm disgusted at some of the posters.... More concerned about the club rather than a persons health! Would you treat your fellow worker in the same way? Would you expect your employer to help their employees in time of need? Sure feel saddened we have lost a great player... But support him & the club! The ills of the MFC goo deeper & longer than just one player! Get well Mitch it's only a f....ing game!

I'm throwing it out there that if we get 22 blokes to play a committed 120 mins of footy Sat arvo we'll win. Now theres a big if there as we need 22 blokes to show up (whoever gets picked) but these blokes are primed to be knocked off.. if the effort is there and sustained against these blokes the goals will come

I am honestly not that worried about the team at the moment. We are still lacking in class and depth, but there have been signs of serious improvement in terms of our structure and planning. We do have some good young talent lurking out at Casey who should start getting games in the next year or so, so things may not be quite as shot as they look right now. That being said, no way in hell are we winning this weekend.

Well u better never say our team is soft it might hurt their feelings.

Not the time. Actually, for this kind of comment, possibly never the time.

Very sad. Another that showed so much promise and gave so much excitement however brief now gone. You cant fault his efforts on the field however short or his application to try and get back. The mind is a bizarre thing even to the most physically tuned. All the best Mitch.

Still love it. I'll miss ya Mitch.

I'm in the same boat. I wish Mitch nothing but the best. This guy was a beast on the field. I would tell everyone that this bloke is Buddy Franklin except Mitch could take a mark. I thought superstardom awaited MItch. I hope he and his family can move on and be happy. I do not want to know the details of what he is/has been going through. That is his business only. But I do want to know where this leaves the club though.

I presume we have negotiated it in a way whereby any cost inst counted towards our salary cap. We are currently only paying 95% of the cap which leaves us with a spare $450,000. Mitch would be on app $650,000. If the club had the spare money then it would give us $1million to poach a top recruit. I think its time to start raiding GWS and GC.

Not unexpected but wow that sucks. How many kicks in the nads can this club take? So long Mitch and all the best, your time at MFC was brief but you gave your all for the jumper and club when you were here and your talent will be sorely missed.

This team has a good game in them, a breakthrough win. It will provide the building blocks upon which confidence and thereby improvement will come from... Hopefully, that game is this Saturday. The Blues are ripe. As the banner said last Sunday, our players need to stop fighting their inner demons, and unleash them...

Poor bugger, it's not a massive set back but must still suck for someone that's such a wretched run with injuries. I think he has the potential to be a good pick up for us, I wish him all the best with his recovery.

I can't handle the truth

How about we just agree to blame Jack Watts?

It's the leaders job to lead, not to put a bounty on their head after round 3, we don't have enough leaders for the ones we do have to be looking at the door

Michie had his jaw fractured in the first quarter. Probably had some effect but he got the last two clearances that resulted in the two goals won the game. Fair bit of guts from a 3 game player. Tagged heavily throughout.

If we end up with pick 1 and 2 there is no way Roos will use them except for trades.....

In - Chris Dawes, Mitch Clisby, Jordie McKenzie Out - Shannon Byrnes, Jack Fitzpatrick, Rohan Bail B - Georgiou - McDonald - Grimes HB - Evans - Dunn - Pedersen C - Watts - Tyson - Vince HF - Kent - Dawes - Cross F - JKH - Frawley - Howe R - Spencer - N.Jones - Viney I/C - McKenzie - Terlich - M.Jones Sub - Clisby

Yep, I once thought there wouldn't be many more passionate supporters than myself. But now I know there are, my passion is bleeding out. I rarely even check in here these days, and when I do I see thread titles like 'Changes for next week' and I think to myself how can you be [censored]? We've seen a thousand changes and none of them make a [censored] of difference to what happens at this club. Good on those who keep the faith and enthusiasm. They are made of stronger stuff than I. The only joy I get from footy now is watching teams and players I hate fail. And even that is losing its appeal. I'll keep watching, and start playing Candy Crush the further we fall behind. I'm on level 500 for those interested. Go Dees, I spose...

I think we should inquire about Bomber as some form of consultant for 2015. He seems destined to walk away from Essendon. Hird will coach, Craig as director of coaching, Goodwin as senior assistant (an option to take the successor role at MFC). Bomber really has no role and being at the club would only cause them trouble. I'm not sure where we'd put Bomber but maybe just a part time one day a week maybe as a quality control coach to work with Roos. Come to main training and just review the training as an outsider it would be worth so much. He doesn't want to work full time I don't think so don't make him.

Not sure if you know of a bloke called Alistair clarkson.

It's probably what the hawks are prepared to offer hence why his management has come out in the media with his price tag. So much for "seeing the direction of the club" before deciding!!!!!!! Good luck at the hawks.

Frawley vs Pick 2? Hmm. I'd go for Pick 2. By the law of averages, surely our next high pick will turn out to be a legend-in-the-making?

a key forward!

This will make players earn their spot.....& ultimately a good club! Roos presser below Jack Trengove was dropped to the VFL last week, in part, to help the former skipper rediscover his enjoyment for the game. While he had 25 disposals for the Casey Scorpions, and was particularly effective in the second half, he is no certainty to return this week. ''The standards have got to start in the seconds. Thats another discussion we had today. I am not going to promote anyone just because they got 30 possessions, or 25 possessions, or 28 possessions,'' Roos said. ''The standards that are set at the good clubs are set from below. We will play the guys we think can play the role in the seniors that they were able to play in the seconds.'' Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/paul-roos-sticks-to-his-game-plan-20140407-zqrty.html#ixzz2yCj4t7ci

One thing is for sure we have an excellent coach which we should have had 5 yrs ago. I love listening to this man speak his knowledge of the game is outstanding. We in good hands.

I posted this on another thread and thought it was worth repeating. While we are to blame for poor recruiting, for the position we find ourselves in, the AFL has also contributed significantly. When we were at the bottom they brought in 2 new teams, gave them all the best players and made our chances of recovery very difficult. They then brought in 2 new rules which led to senior players Moloney, Rivers, Sylvia and maybe Chip being allowed to go to top clubs or at least clubs of their choice and one to go at age 19 to GWS. That is 5 players or 25% of our best team. That is nothing short of murder, committed on a football club. Worse still it was committed on a club at the bottom of the ladder, struggling to improve. They then put the cream on the cake, or buried the corpse to use another analogy, by changing the PP rule, when we clearly because of games won, would have got one and then even though we filled the criteria for one under their new rule, refused to give us one, using a totally BS excuse. I won't even mention the tanking farce punishment, for being found not guilty and with no other club who did the same as us, even being investigated. Yes, we are to blame of course, but so are the AFL and it should be made crystal clear to them, when we ask for help, as we should.

It's more than 4 failed drafts... 1999 (ND5*) - 2000 (ND16) - 2001 (ND9) - 2002 (ND14, 15) - 2003 (ND3, 5, 21) - 2004 (ND13, 15) - Dunn 2005 (ND12) - Jones 2006 (ND12) - Frawley 2007 (ND4, 14, 21) - Grimes 2008 (ND1, 17, 19) - Watts 2009 (ND1, 2, 11, 18) - Trengove 2010 (ND12) - 2011 (ND12) - 2012 (ND4) - Toumpas *Salary cap penalty. If you make this many mistakes with early picks, you are going to have a bad time.