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Those that think MC should play for us, no matter what we offer him, are living in dreamland. I would be pretty certain that not one Demonland poster including myself, know exactly what the settlement was. Given that scenario, how can you logically expect him to play for us at whatever we offer him. Yes he does owe us for our help in his situation and if nothing else, he has said through his Manager that he would want to be sure we were compensated IF he left. I am sure everyone would agree if our offer was $1000 for season 2015 he would have every right to refuse that and look elsewhere. So then the question becomes how much is not enough? Since none of us know what he got in the settlement or what we offered for 2015 I think people should stop abusing MC and let the whole thing go to its conclusion. Think of it as if he was your brother and not your big hope to save this club.

Wow. I doubt Houli or members of the sane population share that view.

Hard nut, in and under but no skill.

Deplorable comment. Have two weeks off. Religious vilification is no more "fair game" than racial vilification. Anyone else who wants to suggest it is can join h_h on the ban list.

i'm comfortable with lumumba for clark we get a line breaking hbf which we have been screaming for we lose someone who a month ago we thought was gone anyway, and who would be a huge risk good win

Without commenting on any off-field issues and what we would need to trade to get him, but purely from an on field perspective Lumumba is exactly the type of player we need. Can play half back and wing, has explosive pace, likes to run and carry the ball and is generally a good user and decision maker. Importantly, he has a touch of spark about him that can lift the team and the crowd. All of the above would be very welcome in a team that is lacking in the attributes that he would bring to the table. Who currently can spark the side with devastating line-breaking run? A good mate of mine is a passionate Collingwood fan and he is very angry at Buckley for moving on a number of experienced players and in particular the prospect of moving on Lumumba. He has watched Lumumba every game for years and is a big fan.

That may well happen. Although it'll be a turnover.

I've heard from a source within the club that Dave Misson put Mitch on a training program for the last 4 months with the intention to get Mitch back and healthy for a return to the Demons and that Dave Misson has been training him personally off-site. Mitch did intend and want to come back to the Demons. Demons said they would pay him X. Mitch got greedy and said he wanted much more than X and said he would go talk to other clubs, which he is doing. From my understanding MFC have assessed his likelihood of a successful return given his foot, soft tissue and mental issues and are holding strong on their offer. My take is that I think Mitch owes us enormously and he should take whatever we offer him given what he has repaid us over the last 3 years, 15 games for $2million plus. He owes us ... end of story.

I think we have been so worn down by the recent negative events surrounding MFC, that a lot of us find it hard to believe players or offer the benefit of the doubt when our trust (as supporters) has been breached so many times before. Especially when the narrative for a lot of these stories gets led and fed by the player managers or club officials through the media, so that when the conclusion is reached, it was forecast and negotiated long before the end. We get drip fed all of the possibilities, so that by the time we get whacked, we know what’s coming. Pick any topic from Scully’s defection, Beamer and River’s leaving the club, tanking investigation, etc., it feels like we were buttered up for the outcome well before the stories played out. As bizarre as the Clark situation is, I feel like we are being buttered up yet again. I don't blame supporters for jumping to conclusions or being bitter. We’ve had to put up with an extraordinary amount in the last eight years. I do wonder what conversations have been had behind the scenes at AFL house between all parties involved. This can’t have been a surprise to the AFL.

That's called the Hogans Hero's clause......

I don't disagree at all. Of course MC should try to get a good deal for himself and his future, but do you really think given the space in our cap, that we would offer him a completely unreasonable amount of money? I doubt we would offer him $100k and another club would offer him $500k. If anything, it's more likely that we would only offer him a 1 year contract, where another club might give him 2 or 3 years. The issue I have is that he went to talk to Collingwood before he talked to Paul Roos. He is still a listed Melbourne player, and he does owe us a level of loyalty, not just for the support we have given him, but for the simple fact that he is still contracted to us until October 31st. Paul Roos is clearly not happy with the whole thing, and I don't blame him.

Worst poster.

Hands up whose university studies/work habits/other daily tasks have gone down the toilet the last two days...

Is Clark more likely to succeed and maintain good mental health if he takes a reduced contract with minimal pressure at Melbourne, or goes to a massive club like Collingwood on big dollars? Imagine the Collingwood supporters turning on him if he doesn't regain his old form. I mean from an outsiders perspective I can understand the idea of a fresh start, but there are so many other pressures and risks associated with going to a new environment. Change can be very stressful and induce anxiety in itself. None of this makes much sense to me.

Has 12 posts, says he'll never post again if wrong.

Yep, Brett was slow like Sam Mitchell is slow. One of the best readers and users of the ball I've ever season. The people that matter have a very high opinion of Jake's future.

lol Absolutely ridiculous post. True to form.

To be honest, I wouldn't know a good assistant coach if he slapped me across the face with a wet fish. I just want someone who is on the same page with Paul Roos as far as football philosophy goes. Whoever we end up with may not have an exciting name, but I'll trust Roos won't bring in a nong to replace himself.

Like it. http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/09/10/mitch-clark-must-return-melbourne/

Red...there are no excuses for not having met Roos FIRST. its called respect !!!

When are posters going to realise that Demonland is not The Anonymous Internet© - If there is such a thing - and that people own this site and are liable for what is on this site. You are simple if you think that Nasher is impinging your free speech - it's not just your speech on here.

Could Wagner replace Strauss?

Back to my default Melbourne mode. Thanks Super!

Every melbourne supporter should do them selves a favour and watch Paul Roos B&F night speech (sorry can't attach the link on my iPhone). The part that stood out for me was when he said that there's no question that Melbourne holds onto the past and that everyone who supports melbourne needs to move on. Roos is clearly trying to recreate the Melbourne Football Club and I think we all need to make that happen as well.

He will be two weeks older when he gets back to you.

"The B is for Bargain!"

What do you mean? Work is destroying my productivity in staying up with Days of our Lives - Mitch Clark edition!

Good points made - there's been too many abusive posts and hearsay about supposed financial arrangements and sums of money which I don't think many of us on Demonland (if any) have actually been privy to. Also, the notion that a certain amount of money disqualifies you from having depression is nonsense. The black dog takes many forms. I think the issue that has me confused is the expectation - possibly by MC management - that a person can retire from a career for a period of time (for whatever reason) and then return on the same terms as before. To use an analogy - I work in the building trade - if I went off the tools and into a different career for 5 years and then decided to return as a sub-contractor, I could not expect to immediately command the same rates as before, until I had worked my way back into the groove, which would take some months. I realise that we're not talking 5 years here but, as we're constantly reminded by the AFLPA, football is a short, compressed career (which is apparently why the wages are so high) and a year completely out of the system would set a perfectly healthy player back a long way, let alone one with associated health problems. One of the reasons mooted for Mitch's retirement, was the amount of pressure he felt being on a large contract and not being able to fulfil his part of the deal because of injury. Surely then, a good way to relieve any re-occurrence of that pressure, would be to begin things slowly on a small contract for a year or so, until he'd played his way back into the game. The financial expectations are low and to a certain extent performance level expectations are realistic, as he's on a path to recovery. This situation needs to be looked at very much in the long-term, both in Mitch's recovery from physical and mental injury, and the long-term benefit to the club having Mitch back on board. It seems to me that Mitch's management, by shopping Mitch around on the open market is looking at things very much in the short-term. I wonder if it's this that has reportedly angered Roos so much - that club has been looking at things very much from both sides and invested a patient, holistic, cautious approach with Mitch over the year. Now, in direct contrast, it seems that his management are only interested in how much money they can get. Very jarring for Roos, I'd imagine.

Maybe we've all got this back-to-front: Melbourne says to MC: "We'll put you on the rookie list" MC's manager says to MC: "That means you would have to go into the rookie draft and you might end up at St Kilda" MC says to manager: "Help! I really, really love the MFC. They've been good to me and I want to stay there. Please don't let me end up at St Kilda." I also believe in the tooth fairy.

It's only that way because of people like Nicky Winmar, Scott Chisholm and the 'Army of PC Thugs' that drove away the acceptability of vilifying someone.

I can't believe people want to trade Watts and watch him become a star at another club. If our multi million dollar coaching panel can't get the best out of a player like Watts, then what are we paying them for? He has more talent in his little finger than most of our players have in their entire body, we just need to find the right role for him and give him some angry pills. Surely the test of whether our club is on the way up or not is whether we can harness the ability of our most talented players.

disagree with that bad move culturally to purchase a player and give him the crown straight to the LG but the crown has been very hard earned by Jonesy and I would be livid if circumstances like that stripped it from him, absolutely not Roosy's style

...I keep thinking I'm in the MC thread.

What's with the moronic comments about us allegedly paying for his girlfriends uni course? One since when it is a fact. Two what possible relevance does it have. This thread is an embarrassment to demons fans

Nein. Felt like saying it in German for some reason. Cheers, Ronrich Burgundich

Should H_H really get weeks for that? What he said and the way he said it and who is looks bad, but he didn't vilify anyone. He just said he thinks religion is fair game. Even if he said he thinks racism is fair game, doesn't mean he has racially abused someone. He put his thoughts out there, and people know what kind of person he is, isn't that punishment enough? Censorship and forced political correctness hide who people truly are, I like to know who I'm dealing with, but that's just me.

BIG time

I can't believe people think a trade of Clark for HL is a good deal... All I see is one player kicking goals and dominating games, the other kicking it high in the air to any one and FFS we have enough of those kicks in our side. I'd rather keep MC and him never play again than take a chance he plays for some one else and regains form which I believe he would.

i would still love to keep Mitch over Harry because if Clark plays with Melbourne (fit) we are a much better team and his help with the hulk would see Melbourne along with pick 2,3 return to a push for September much quicker then some experts might think. Please Mitch do the right thing and lead this once great club out of the dark. Think of how great it was to see this guy who had a strong presence ripping apart packs and kicking goals from 55 meters out. Dreaming I know but god he was good

Yep, Gunston is a HFF, Hale a forward pocket/ruck and Gibson a HBF who sometimes has to play tall. Shaw a HBF, Malceski a HBF, McGlin a HFF who recently has spent more mid time. It's not so clear cut 'poita', they haven't in a lot of cases had high draft picks to trade anyway and I don't think we will be giving away a first round pick on 'H' I trust Roos will get the mix right though, his predecessors certainly stuffed it up.

[censored] orf Mitch, for even contemplating going to another club, particularly after how well we acted towards you early in 2014. Don't want you now after your about face and declaration you don't want to be here anymore! So magically after 6 months your depression is pretty much all better? It simply doesn't work like that. (It's amazing how a $500k cheque could clear up all ailments). I have a family member with this condition living with me that will attest to this. The medics agree that it doesn't just stop like that.. A big con job beautifully played IMO.

Adelaide want top end picks after missing out on last year's draft. They cant afford to have a missing age bracket in years to come. If Dangerfield was to walk through Free Agency next year they would end up with a compo pick around 8 - 14 - pending where they finish. Melbourne has basically offered Dangerfield a blank cheque. Hence PJ's call for assistance to pay our full salary cap. Also - GWS are all over Petracca and will need assurance that we take Brayshaw with pick 2 in return for Shiel. Rest assured, Roosy will earn his money in the next 6 weeks.

Free speech does't give you carte blanche to say whatever you want - It only extends to political communications. Have a read of our constitution before speaking such carp. Racial or religious vilification should always be singled out and condemned.

If we get the compo pick for Frawley (pick 3) I'm told it will be 100% traded which the AFL are aware of. The two options are: Pick 3 and Toumpas for Dangerfield and possibly another player. Pick 3 for Dylan Shiel.

Shafted in the 22 under 22 side. Suffered the same fate as Chunk in being ineligible as a Melbourne player.

I find it amazing posters who demand, and expect, loyalty from players - yet turn on them at the drop of a rumour, viciously so in many cases. Truly amazing, to the extent of it being bizarre.

Roos can have whatever title he likes, as long as he's around the club in some capacity. His presence alone will help the club in so many ways, not the least of which is the recruitment and retention of players.

I've had a slightly nasty little thought regarding all this. How much luck have the Pies had recruiting a second key forward so far? Lynch was a lemon, White has been average. If the trend continues, it could be a sure indication that they'll be getting another lemon in Clark. It could turn out to be as good a deal for us as swapping the Gys for Pederson turned out to be.

I can see two ways that we can benefit from this. 1. Clark goes to Collingwood in exchange for Lumumba. That's a good trade for us. Have no idea why people would think otherwise. Lumumba is a known quantity and a good footballer. Clark is (was) a good footballer but is a massive risk for them in many ways. 2. Clark sounds out other clubs, gets no bites and comes crawling back to the club Dustin Martin-style. We offer him a spot on the rookie list, he comes back in Round 1 and dominates in tandem with Hogan and Dawes. He bowes out in 2017 with Melbourne having just won the flag. OK, I got carried away on the second point there but both possibilities are realistic.

This is half true Billy. MFC were prepared to play games in keeping the potential return of MC from the media so as to keep the pressure off MC not to hide from other clubs as a potential raid. As I have said the club was blindsided by this and did not have it in its calculations. A couple of other points: Roos is furious, particularly with MC manager. Roos believes MC owes us. I agree that it is likely this is over a maximum rookie spot offering by MFC and MC and/or his manager wanting more. I don't believe our application for PP or special assistance has anything to do with this. If fit Roos wants MC.