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* Slightly cooler today, but only by a smidge. * Roosy takes up his post in the Cherry picker again. * Vince only one running separate from the main group. * A fair few tackling drills today - Going in hard. *ANB getting praised for his disposal - I concur. * Brayshaw prides himself on his disposal - you can tell. * Newton looks to be a good pickup. Impressed me several times today. Disposal and inside 50's awesome. You can see a bit of Port play about him also. * Good spirit amongst the guys, playing what looked to be a cross between ring a ring a rosie & pass the parcel football style. * Good kicking early on. Some guys hot and cold between days, but overall looks pretty good. * Looks like being a big session, geeing each other up to keep setting the standards. * Vanders, Harmes & Kent all with the main group (not rehab today). * Petracca good vision & hands. * Garlett looks sharper today - good speed and best I've seen him all camp today. * Not a big fan of the attitude today. Seem to be a bit tired, grumpy and getting up each other (long camp) * Vanders doing pretty well again, getting lots of direction about where to go on the field today. * The guys who still have to prove themselves are constantly standing out for their efforts. Suprise-suprise * Vanders high half forward, Brayshaw high half back in Sims. * I get a higher perch to see what Roosy likes so much about being high up. It instantly occurs to me how much of a difference the good kickers make to the game plan. The lefties in particular (Hawthornesque) open up the game so well. Newton, Kent, Whitey - It reminds of what Davey use to do. * The session is taking a little nose dive at this point - A few look a little over the camp and starting to mentally switching off. Looking for the finish line - My advice ... get some more Carbs for the brain, it supposedly runs exclusively on glucose. * Lamumba streaks out of the middle with a nice read - He did some nice things today. * Roosy addressing the troops, hope he is telling them to lift their game. * Petracca a little off early, but lifting his efforts now and impressing again. Roosy has definitely told them to finish off the camp strongly and they all picked up their standards - well done boys. * Matt Goodrope looks like Trennners from a distance. * Howie dancing a little jig, hammy can't be too bad. * Newton a good tackler as well - Is there anything he isn't good at, any weakness? Haven't found it yet. * Into a few drills to get something right and then back into match sims. Finishing off strongly now. * Roosy more happy with them now. * JKH/ King/ Watts & Howe off to ice up early. Didn't see Howie train again but I could be wrong. * Kent & Riley doing a bit of extra running at the end (catch up from being in rehab I suppose) * Bit of specific individual training to finish off. * Signing off from Maroochydore. It's been a great week and a half. I realised afterwards just how much I have got out of going along each day. You definatley feel a part of it in a way and it's a real boost to the work day. * Well done MFC - now go and win some games.

I have clinical depression. Diagnosed by multiple doctors. The stigma associated with this condition is not helped by people in your "circles" JVF. In fact, it is the very reason I don't tell many people. It makes things very hard, because when I experience a depressive episode and need to miss a social event or can't deliver on a promise for someone, I need to make up a flimsy excuse. I shouldn't have to. My condition, like any other medical condition, is justification enough. But I have to be careful who I tell about it because some will judge me "soft" and tell me to "suck it up". Honestly, being told your'e soft while in the middle of a low is crushing. I spend considerable time during depressive episodes working on my CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) to prevent it spiralling further out of control. When in this state, any insult, not matter how minor, can be devastating to my CBT and further undermine the self-confidence it's designed to prevent eroding. It's easier to just not tell people than risk a blow like that. It's hard to explain to people, because from the outside I just look "vacant" or "sad", and an accusation of "soft" doesn't sound that harsh. I assure you, on the inside, it's not that simple. As for the environment argument, it differs because each person's triggers are different. Some people's environments are destructive, some are supportive. I had a mix of both and had to eliminate one and focus on the other until I had the tools to properly balance my life. Clinical depression is real. People in your circles make it worse. Fortunately you seem to be in the minority, judging from other posters here. Go Dees.

I'll give you a tip for life. If the circle of people you hang around with think beating depressing requires a bucket of cement, it'd be in your best interests to find a new circle. Depression is an illness affecting and potentially killing as many people as cancer and there's a large chance it affects many people in your own group that you probably treat with the exact attitude that only exacerbates their own feelings. Read up and you might save someone's life

You are way off track here and have no idea what you are talking about.

Hard to believe this guy is still a teenager. If his talent and ability are as big as his frame, we're in for a good one.

Excellent post MDPeople with severe depression have trouble getting out of bed, getting the milk out of the fridge to make a coffee. This is exactly why i have always been a little cynical about Clark's decisions and motives. During his whole retirement he took 100's of wedding and glamour photos. Most of them very good. He has a talent. But if he was too depressed to play AFL i find it hard to believe he had the drive and motivation to pursue his photography. A family friend lives in a semi darkened room in Brighton and he has not been outside since the late 80's. This guy scored a perfect 100 in his HSC Year. I know every case is different but to me it is just NQR that Mitch Clark could return to AFL top level 6 months after he retired because he was in a dark place. Mitch Clark wants a shot at a flag without all the hard work. This is possibly why the club didn't fight too hard to keep him The change of environment in Mitch's case doesn't wash with me. The Mclardy Schwab MFC would be so far distant from the Jackson Roos MFC It IS a different place

why we brought him in -last year despite coming on as sub for 3 of his 9 games he still averaged a contribution of 13 points a game (3rd highest at carlton) -when he was involved in a chain carlton scored 55% of the time (highest at carlton last year) -could thrive in a new environment, especially one lacking small forwards why he was delisted from carlton -is a bit of a pest out and about -was not happy with the eddie betts leaving -training habits were pretty poor

I'm not sure why we must connect Mitch's depression issues with his ultimate decision. Like most, I have had people close to me suffer from depression and I wish Mitch all the best on his recovery. Like most, I struggle with the decisions he made and behaviors around the decision. I am not a mental health professional but I cannot agree with the advice he was given. The number one driver for him leaving being a "fresh start" doesn't sit well with me. I could agree with this logic if our club was the rabble it had been under the likes of CS but the MFC from a "health" perspective has never been in a better place and is moving forward. It could almost be considered a new club. AFL is a pressure cooker and it wont be any easier at Geelong where I believe the pressure to perform will be greater than it may have been at the MFC. For these reasons I wish Mitch well for his ongoing recovery from his health issues and at the same time say that the decisions you have made surrounding you future will forever be a stain on your reputation.

No specifics, but Howe did have it iced up. I didn't see it happen - walking around reasonably OK afterwards. No sign of Hoges today. Someone told me he might have been proppy and stopped training but that could just be precautionry stuff (make of that what you will ). He always looks proppy to me with his waddle.Thought some guys might have gone for a swim earlier - he might have gone also. He has been wrapped in cotton wool at various points throughout the camp but I wouldn't be jumping to conclusions. Tyson came off with a lower leg concern but no idea how bad (shin?). He was still walking alright. I'd suggest that it might be a case of the medicos playing it safe with niggles - but who knows?

I don't understand how you can think that the fact that MC has got himself well enough to recommence an AFL career makes your assertion (bolded above) correct. I would have thought the opposite is true if anything. That's to say there is every chance that if he simply, in true Aussie bloke fashion, tried to 'tough it out' and stayed put his mental health might have got much worse, any other issues in his life might have got worse and he may have ended up quitting (or being fired) and never return to footy. I am guessing, contrary to your views that he would rethink his decision to retire, that MC and those who care about him most likely think he made exactly the right call. Supposition of course but he presumably got professional advice that retiring was the best thing he could for his mental health. I very much doubt that outside of forum posters he would have received any advice from trained professional to 'tough it out'. A quick glance at the Beyondblue website linked above would demonstrate that such strategies are likely in fact to make things much worse. Toughing it out is the very reason so many Australian men suffer from depression. And of course the less said the better about characterizing him retiring from footy to get treatment as running away from his problem (as opposed to actually addressing it which is what he has done). The fact he has chosen to recommence his career at GFC is completely irrelevant to the any discussion about his choice to retire.

An unfair characterization of psychologists and psychiatrists

If this is your idea of depression then I think further education is required.

Was told relationship breakdown with mother of his kid was a factor last year. She is a Victorian which would explain reluctance to go interstate. Looking forward to seeing him up forward with Hogan, Dawes, Kent, Salem, Kennedy-Harris etc. If he gets back to his best, kicking goals and using his speed offensively and defensively he should be an important player for us. So far so good over the pre season.

Enough.

Outstanding reporting RB. Muchos grazious! Let's hope the boys repay you with some strong wins and get the year underway on a high!

probably thought it was a goal kicking comp...

Personally, I love playing with players like Matt Jones. Brave, solid skills, turn of speed, consistent, but when you are that type of player, the thing that will differentiate yourself from the other 5 or 6 that can do the same thing is skill execution in important areas of the ground and times of the game. A few of the things that Matt did last year are (not so) affectionately called 'coach killers' and it is a shame that he is defined by these brain fades but until he eradicates them - he is vulnerable.

The need to change environment as part of your recovery is a thoroughly plausible and legitimate possibility. I know because I've had to do it myself. I'm bipolar, and several years ago I had a full-blown episode which forced me off work for a time. Work itself wasn't the trigger, but the environment was compounding the problem. Thanks to the good grace of my employer at the time, I was able to return to work in the same job but in a different office - virtually the same as returning to footy but at a different club. I find it staggering that anyone on here thinks they can diagnose, analyse or otherwise understand Mitch's health and condition based purely on a few media statements and his Twitter feed.

Further to this. Whilst not downplaying those that are highly skilled kicks and those that are "average", it has been my opinion that when your teammates give you multiple options and can be those three or four steps ahead of their opponents AND when the kicker has absolute confidence that he knows where his teammate is going to run to - disposing efficiently becomes infinitely easier.

After the last decade rjay I no longer get wildly enthusiastic about untried recruits. I will admit some look better than others but experience tells us wait and see.

All power to you choke, well done. I have been fortunate to have never suffered from depression, so my understanding is limited. But I applaud you, albeit on a forum to come out. We non sufferers need to have more compassion. Although simplistic, depression can be seen like a chronic bad back. Because the problem cannot be easily seen or understood sympathy and understanding is limited. I hope your battles with depression include more wins than losses. Talking about issues helps all of us to improve.

Not doing much ATM so came up with a conspiracy theory, for fun. If the Doctor as said on here was a MFC referral and if we had decided for whatever reason, we wanted to trade MC, what if in a casual chat with the Doctor, Roos or someone at the club, suggested that a fresh start would be the best thing for MC. Without discussing his client's actual condition, but bearing in mind that he was referred by us, we would be able to have a general discussion about his future football playing capacity. A few suggestions, such as he had a lot of baggage here, could be enough for the fresh start scenario to have evolved, with that seemingly being the best thing for MC in playing AFL football again. Taking that on board, the Doctor could have agreed that a fresh start was the best for MC. We then traded him when he said he wanted to play again, but needed a fresh start. Then again, I could have too much time on my hands, BUT, it is not an impossible scenario.

I always click on this thread with expectation, but leave empty after failing to read that Clark has been savagely mauled by a wild pig or has blown out both ACLs in a freak Segway accident. This thread needs a "Days since a Mitch Clark injury" count in the title so I know whether to enter or not.

Jack took captaincy very seriously and there is every chance that he took the loses and set-backs of the last few years personally...not it being his fault but that he couldn't lead his team our of the mire, either by his own performance or motivating his team. I would like to see him in the LG. Different times and people, I know but I didn't like it when Green went from captain to no-where. I just feel we need to give the right message through behaviour and treating our ex-captains with more respect is one such way. We didn't do it with Junior and Green; we are somewhat doing it with Trengove and I hope we do so with Grimes. So hope to see him in the LG.

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Depression should never be an excuse for bad behaviour or character flaws. The result is genuine people with depression get unfairly judged.

All I can do is hope the we succeed. I don't hope that Clark fails; that just makes me a nasty, small minded person. What I do hope for is that we rise above the selfish, duplicitous manipulative nonsense the club has been exposed to and thrash the pants off the cats when we next see them. And I hope that Clark is unable to play ever again and retires friendless and alone.

My approach to training reports is that I write down about who and what catches my eye.These guys haven't caught my attention a heap for what ever reason during camp, but that's not saying they aren't training well. I think with Toump he's a head down, bum up and hat low kind of trainer and this might contribute to him sliding under my radar a bit. Another poster from Saturday's session said he heard his name called a lot (in praise) I tend to shut out a lot of the chatter and focus on what I see. I did notice Toumps really neat & consistent disposal today. He's a very dilegent trainer from the looks of it. I can't recall seeing Salem at all today.The general feeling is that they are both tracking nicely and I'm looking forward to see what they can do in NAB cup.

Happy to add my thanks as well, Bruiser. Your reports have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Much appreciated.

Galbally "quote" What Holmes will be able to prove is the purchase by [compound pharmacist Nima] Alavi of thymosin beta-4 and maybe the purchase by Dank of thymosin beta-4. But whether they can take it to the next step of showing whether it has gone to Essendon and then gone to the players, is another thing. That ultimately is the question. That is the evidentiary problem I see ASADA have got." I am I wrong.? ASADA doesn't have to prove the players took the injection of Thymosin - Beta 4. The Players have to prove they didn't by association.

I am not singling out your post, I understand what you are getting at... but... Regardless if it's Watts or whoever, a team can't afford passengers. When and if its your turn to go, you gotta go. [censored]-footing around and shirking it isnt a good look. Having said that. you need to be smart about it. no point being a martyr just to prove a point, then end up in a hospital bed for 6 weeks Watts has the skills, and will be an important player, when using those skills to hurt the opposition, but if I can say so.. I think everyone would just love him to just once, actually flatten someone in a fair, hard hit. You'll get hurt a lot more if you go at it half hearted.

Completely different anti doping rules in place, different burden of proof. Surprised Galbally would offer such an opinion in those circumstances. Surely, he's aware of the WADA Code and the AFL's anti doping policy? No?

I believe the poster is implying that The Prince is not the Culture Killer some thought him to be.

No, I asked him about his form this year, has done every session, his words paraphrased "I like to go under the radar, prefer it that way", don't think he has any leadership aspirations at all, he is part of a group of Newton, Michie, Jones, Bail et who just do every session with the minimum of fuss The talk of Jack Viney in the leadership group, no, maybe in a couple of years, even he says he still has so much to learn, give him a break, got to establish himself in the 22 yet

That's what we said about Tapscott I will be impressed when I see him playing well during the season.

Possibly yes. But i would have expected a darker edge to the photography if his inner demons were in full flight. Depression is a chemical imbalance and i find MC's miraculous recovery just before the draft period to be NQR. and i doubt that will change. He has dudded Brisbane, Fremantle and the MFC so far......

I think you will find that depression affects different people in different ways. I have little to no knowledge about the condition from a medical standpoint, but I would not find it hard to believe that the fact that he was able to channel so much into his photography was that it was something that he derived pleasure from at a time when everything else was going to [censored]. Photography was something that he was having success with and which would have been helping to raise his self esteem at a time when that was exactly what he needed.

How would Alistair have fared under the WADA code . . couple of years I suspect!!

What constitutes "facts" on these forums is often known in other circles as "chinese whispers".

Of course they would be expected to know... isn't awareness of what goes into their bodies a part of their induction training?

I've theorised that when Roos realised what Clark and his manager had been doing since his "retirement" (shopping him around to other clubs, using MFC fitness guys to recover with no intention of coming back to the MFC), he instantly became persona non grata. MC transparently used this fact as an excuse to fans asking why he left ("But.. but.. I wasn't wanted!"), despite the fact this was a direct result of his and his manager's actions. I doubt the club had much interest in forcing him to stay after he showed his true colours (not dissimilar to GWS offloading Boyd after his manager pulled that stunt with the Bulldogs). Plus, as evidenced by yet another calf injury last week, he's not a durable player. Roos likes durable players. Does anyone here actually think MC would come close to completing this year's MFC pre-season? Roos consistently talking up Mitch as our best player was likely just a strategic ploy to ensure we weren't dudded in a trade. If he'd come out calling MC a snake who betrayed us, etc. other clubs would've offered jack shizen in return.

Agree 100%Mitch has spent his whole career "running away" Heard Michael Voss talk about this last year. Not a person i would trust. I still believe what my club source told me last year...

Isn't that enough?

Last year's leadership group was: Jones, Grimes, Dawes, Dunn, Garland, Cross and Frawley. For the sake of stability I would like to see minimal changes: we now have a stable off-field, stable coaching so I would like a stable LG. Would also like the same 'rules' to players getting a game apply to LG. ie you need to earn your spot and do so well enough to dislodge an incumbent. While there are other players I would like in LG and there are plenty of potential leaders among the young brigade for mine no-one has really stood out and 'passed' this 'test'. Lets give the young guys a year or two to just enjoy their footy. Their day will come. I'm not sure we need 7 in the LG so Frawley going leaves 6. Garland may opt to drop out as this is free agent year and concentrate on his game.

Two things - you won't convince anyone with just the answer, you have to show your work...and I can definitely say that a statement like that will not be the last word on this topic.

Expect the Hawks to be in the deal,big time, they will do anything to extend their reign at the top I think.

imagine our TEAM kicking 40 goals in a season!!!!!

Let me pose this for consideration. Players of clubs talk to each other and several have mates and relatives at other clubs. Did not one Essendon player mention he was being asked to have 52 injections in his stomach to a player from another club? If not why not? Did not one player mention it to a parent/wife/girlfriend etc? If not why not? Is the reason that they were told not to by the club? Wouldn't that raise suspicions of wrong doing? Did the players ask Dr. Reid if it was ok to take these injections? If not why not? If yes, then it can only be assumed that Dr. Reid would have said they were safe and legal. If he said that, on what basis would he have done so? It is probably fair to assume that Dr. Reid was never asked by the players if the injections were safe and legal. If the players didn't ask the Doctor about the injections, given what the AFL does in respect of drug education to AFL players, these players cannot blame others for taking drugs, on the say so of a Coach or a Sports Scientist.

I have the arcticle kicking around here somewhere, rather than pull the house apart, I'll have to rely on my 'not as good as it used to be' memory. Now this involved Richards, not Bobby Rose. 100% sure on that. Although I do vaguely remember a Rose incident. You;ll will have to visulise this, so get that imagination going. The article was very well written so I hope I can get close. If iirc it was written by Harry Beitzel for Inside Football? Apologies if not word for word, but here goes, as I remember it. The MCG, Melb V Coll, 1956 or 58?? somewhere around there. Back when the 2 biggest clubs were the Dees and the filth. As usual the ground was packed to the rafters. Home and Away game. To set the picture, 10 of thousands of feral pies supporters, along with just as many passionate Dee supporters. Both teams hated each other as did the supporters (not much as changed) Noel McMahen well known for being a tough, ruthless player.Brick walls wouldnt hold him back. Lou Richards, cheeky, cunning and known to mouth off (whence Louie the Lip), but a bloody good footballer. Umpire = Harry Bietzel Its a close game, typical Melb V Coll game of the era. Richards gathers the ball on Melbourne's 1/2 forward line.Richards ducks and weaves around a few Melb players, weaving out of a pack. McMahen spots Richards from half back, his eyes light up. Like a steam train, comes roaring in from the backline, with Lou firmly in his sights. Lou not knowing McMahen has penciled in for the coroner, weaves out, and into the clear. Suddendly Richards looks up and sees McMahen is about to send him into the next century. So Richards sensing the gravity of it all, throws the ball away and hits the ground, a split second before the McMahen express nails him. From over the fence its seems to all and sundry, McMahen has just flattened a Collingwood hero, bottles, and heaps of abuse and other obstacles come hurtling over the fence Louie is down for the count. Pies supporters are now going ballistic. Now the crowd doesnt know this, but McMahen , hadnt touched him. and instead of stomping on the now motionless Louie, (being the 'gentleman' than he was) he steps over the corpse, but from a distance it looked he had just run through him. Spot fires all over the ground start up. players pushing and wrestling, Supporters threathening to jump the fence.Beitzel being the sole umpire (only 1 ump back then) Looks around, looking like an all in brawl is about to breakout. Wonders he next move, so he stands over a montionless Lou Richards, as says. "For christs sake Louie, GET UP!. He didnt touch you!" Amongst the noise, a cheeky little voice comes back that could be almost heard all over the ground, says to Harry... with a cheeky grin ,says "But gee Harry, he didnt miss me by much."

Pretty casual light skills training day today so not much to report. Lamumba entertaining the troops, has them in stiches - looks like it's comedy hour. I like ANB's allround confidence, and his goal kicking was impressive - could hear a nice thump each time. Breaking the skills down and focusing on technique. Kent reminds me a bit of Jakovich with his attitude - I think he likes the limelight and wants to be "the man". Fine by me just what we need. Finished with a comp to see which teams could hit the goal post the most in one minute. Dunny copping a ribbing for every miss. Whitey & M. Jones did well and would you believe the the Ruckmen very hard to beat as a team. Maybe because they have a lot of practice at hitting the post. Speaking of posts, that's the end of mine.