Mitch Clark

[Hoooops]

Relevance ? Injury and family has keept him sideline

Nothing to do with that incident

People forget that Mitch and Mitch are two professionals working in a professional environment who can deal with issues professionally. If it was ever an issue, it sure isn't anymore.

 

[Catastic82]

People forget that Mitch and Mitch are two professionals working in a professional environment who can deal with issues professionally. If it was ever an issue, it sure isn't anymore.

Yeah but it's better for everyone to make it a bigger issue to have a reason to stick the boots in

It's the Bigfooty way...who needs facts

 

[Bluelegs]

Stay classy Bigfooty...family comes before footy I'm sure he has more important priorities at the moment.

Genuine question. If you have a career that its heavily influenced by both your age and fitness, and for four years you haven't been able to get your body right, your head right, or have had life get in the way of the career on numerous occasions, when is enough enough? When do you hang up the boots? How long can a club carry a person with that much interruption in their careers?

I don't think it's an unfair assessment that he probably isn't going to have much of a playing career left going forward.

I can't think of a single footballer who has had even a fraction of the issues he has had and managed to maintain a successful career.

 

[Hoooops]

Yeah but it's better for everyone to make it a bigger issue to have a reason to stick the boots in

It's the Bigfooty way...who needs facts

I think BigFooty is just what some people resort to when they've run out of gossip magazines and sensationalist newspapers to read.

 

[Catastic82]

Genuine question. If you have a career that its heavily influenced by both your age and fitness, and for four years you haven't been able to get your body right, your head right, or have had life get in the way of the career on numerous occasions, when is enough enough? When do you hang up the boots? How long can a club carry a person with that much interruption in their careers?

I don't think it's an unfair assessment that he probably isn't going to have much of a playing career left going forward.

I can't think of a single footballer who has had even a fraction of the issues he has had and managed to maintain a successful career.

Got no issue with people questioning his football future...for mine I think he'll stay on next year for depth

However, everyone sticking in the boots to a guy plagued with injuries and depression and now trying to support his family with his two kids in intensive care...yeah real classy and gutless imo

He may just retire again who knows...got no ill will towards him or the club fur taking the risk...but the Freo and Melb fans sticking in the boots and being bitter is tasteless considering the circumstances .

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Might be the perception of some but it's certainly unfair. Depression is caused by lower levels of dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that regulate your happiness and energy levels. He might be moody or pessimistic, but it's a reflection of an injured brain not necessarily a fair representation of his character.

Lol. It is far more complex than that. Other neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, noradrenaline, GABA and glutamate are involved too. Problems involving the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus in the brain. Genetic issues. Stresses in life, etc etc etc

It's not just a couple of chemicals....

 

[dickballsack]

As someone who's battled severe depression my entire life (for reasons I'm just discovering), I agree, it's tasteless

I'm unsure about the legitimacy of clark's illness, mainly because it tends to come across as an excuse for poor form, rather than a reason
Again, that's my perception on it, given how I've battled my illness
I understand that it may not be the way I see it, and am affected by my experiences in my judgement

Not knocking your thoughts given I have no experience with this illness like you but his illness can't be denied given it wasn't his call to seek help, as I understand it he was on the glass pipe and his partner and a couple of friends intervened and got him to see a quack ( with melbournes help) it was covered up by his foot injury not healing. What was uncovered was that his drug addiction was a product of his depression and having no one to talk to (in his mind). Unlike most ice users, he was taking it alone to sooth himself. Same as tuck who was found in his car asleep.

 

[Ancient Tiger]

No he was already in the VFL..with an injury...and with two premature babies who are still in intensive care

But whatever helps your agenda don't let the facts get in the way

It's not my agenda. Your facts and mine do not agree. Let's leave it at that as I can't say anymore on the issue.

 

[kozi]

Slagging off his sister who happens to be the teammate of his opponents partner?

Slagging off his team mate who happens to be the sister of his partners opponent?

 

[dickballsack]

Genuine question. If you have a career that its heavily influenced by both your age and fitness, and for four years you haven't been able to get your body right, your head right, or have had life get in the way of the career on numerous occasions, when is enough enough? When do you hang up the boots? How long can a club carry a person with that much interruption in their careers?

I don't think it's an unfair assessment that he probably isn't going to have much of a playing career left going forward.

I can't think of a single footballer who has had even a fraction of the issues he has had and managed to maintain a successful career.

Ablett senior, Carey, crosisca, Nathan Thompson, buddy franklin, Heath black, and there'd be plenty more they're just off the top of my head. It's such a tough one. Think anorexia when you see this poor girl who for some reason has a brain 5hats telling her she's fat. Depression is a similar mental illness but without the physical sign. The AFL have been brilliant in supporting this.

 

[Altum Volantes]

A genuine coodabeen. He played a great half season of footy for Brisbane, was one of the better big men running around for a few months there.

Basically as good as it got though.

 

[Scotland]

Probably about due another 'look at me, I has the sad' instagram post I'd say.

 

[Jak!x]

In a league screaming for tall forwards I think he'd be low risk/high reward player. I'd be keen to take a punt on him and hope his twins have got in a better mindset

 

[daniel_4tw]

I'm all for looking after mental health - but the way he treated Melbourne was disgraceful.

Came back for another pay day from Geelong not a year after 'retiring'.

Has delivered doughnuts for both teams.

 

[Bluelegs]

Ablett senior, Carey, crosisca, Nathan Thompson, buddy franklin, Heath black, and there'd be plenty more they're just off the top of my head. It's such a tough one. Think anorexia when you see this poor girl who for some reason has a brain 5hats telling her she's fat. Depression is a similar mental illness but without the physical sign. The AFL have been brilliant in supporting this.

Don't think any of those players have had the frequency or the variety of issues Clark has had.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Lol. It is far more complex than that. Other neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, noradrenaline, GABA and glutamate are involved too. Problems involving the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus in the brain. Genetic issues. Stresses in life, etc etc etc

It's not just a couple of chemicals....

Of course it's more complex but the factors of depression wasn't the point rather that the behaviour people attribute as arseholish are a reflection of the condition not entirely within the control of the individual suffering.

 

[Kram]

Depression is a legitimate and serious illness but it's not an excuse for being a douchebag.

 

[dickballsack]

Don't think any of those players have had the frequency or the variety of issues Clark has had.

Don't get me wrong you're post is correct but I was trying to illustrate that in the past players were left to themselves so their lifestyle outside of the game was masking serious problems where as now it's jumped on quickly. None of it has worked though as it still takes a major meltdown for anyone to act on it.

 

[Ok Boomer]

Making a joke about his depression, haha good one

Yea, just like your horrific first comment in this thread totally didn't do right?

He has depression, and he obviously thought a move to Geelong could help fix that, while still allowing him to do the career he loves. He was on a hefty contract from Melbourne so there is no doubt your troll in the original post about him moving for money is just wrong and you are just a jilted and bitter Melbourne supporter.

 

[mike91]

Lol... Playing against us back then, would have been depressing...

His maraculus recovery after ditching the Dee's, was cringe worthy and just straight out wrong... He doesn't deserve to be at Geelong...

Gold digging whore. I feel for him because dealing with depression each and every single day is truly hard, but I strongly dislike what he stands for.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Locker room cancer. Does not belong in the AFL.

That's quite a comment given the Essendon locker room ethos was about who was being injected with which illegal substance.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Surely a fit and in form Clarke would add an extra dimension to Geelong? Why hasn't he been afforded that chance?

Because frankly, they don't need him. Who makes way for him? None of Hawkins, Smith, Stanley, Henderson, Blicavs. They finished a few % off top without him. Ain't broken, don't fix it.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Because frankly, they don't need him. Who makes way for him? None of Hawkins, Smith, Stanley, Henderson, Blicavs. They finished a few % off top without him. Ain't broken, don't fix it.

Yep. We have a quality lineup of talls and he's got 2 babies in intensive care. The chances of him being a better option than those guys given his injury riddled year and all the stuff going on off field is about zero. I think he'll be our backup for them come finals and he might get another year as depth.

 

[Tulip]

He should get one more year, the potential is always there and maybe his new twins will keep him in a good place. Unlike some, I have respect for Mitch Clark, depression is a campaigner.

It absolutely is, but it doesn't excuse some of his more dubious actions since arriving at the Cats and indeed before.

Hopefully fatherhood is the making of the man, its really never too late to change.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]