So former Melbourne Star Mitch Clark is “thinking” about a return to the AFL. Yep that’s right he is “thinking” about a return, he hasn’t returned yet. Any possible return is unprecedented for a number or reasons. Firstly he is one of the few to admit publically that he has some form of Mental Illness. He has spoken publically about suffering from Depression. A very common illness in Australia and yes AFL Players are not immune to it. Mental Illnesses are now something as a country we are starting to understand and be more open about. Having said that a person with Mental Illness is usually not capable of understanding the extent of their problems because their mind is not working in a manner that allows for such understanding. I should know I’ve been there. I spent a month in Currumbin Clinic in 2012 undergoing treatment. Back to Clarke. Forget the rumour mill and media hysteria about which Club he could end up at and whether he has a moral obligation to the Melbourne Football Club.
The starting point on this matter and for every AFL Player is their future health. Hence Clark should not be and cannot be allowed start any process whatsoever in relation to a comeback until such time as he is cleared medically to be able to handle both physically and mentally a return to AFL. Sure Clubs who are interested would demand a medical check but this goes over and beyond that. Too often Clubs are blindsided by their competitive instincts to win the race for the signature. The AFL and AFLPA must step in and have Clark assessed by not only Independent Medical Experts but in my view by a former Player(s) who have experienced both playing and mental health issues.
In my experiences Depression can be either “Situational” in other words caused by an event or action ie business collapse, a death or drug abuse etc or it is “Genetic” in other words handed down via the gene pool or upbringing.
Clark’s Agent Colin Young is a very good Agent. He is both experienced and wise. He has had his fair share of clients that had off field issues and handled them very well. Getting the message out there now that Clark is eyeing a return is smart. Why ? Oldest trick in the book. Get the hysteria out of the way now and deal with reality starting next week. Young is only doing his job. His client employs him to get him the best possible football contract.
Reality this time around now is Player, Agent, AFL, Clubs and for that matter all other cogs on the wheel need to understand that Clark’s future health is the priority not football and that just like some retirement decisions the decision should not be the players alone. With the AFL facing a mountain of brain damage claims in the future I am sure they will want to make sure that Clark can tick all the boxes first.
So what should the AFLPA be doing ? Firstly they are in control of both Clark and Young to some degree. I would be contacting them both and asking for a face to face meeting as soon as possible. I would then put an agreement on the table that Clark cannot nominate for any draft or be traded (he is currently still on Melbourne’s list) unless he meets certain criteria. Criteria by Medical Experts and People who have “been there done or had that”
Let me also address the hysteria issue. Firstly I am lead to believe Clark walked out of the Melbourne Football Club last September citing Health issues. New Coach Paul Roos talked him back in to attempting to play. Something I can’t be critical of Roosy for doing as I know Roosy would have had Clark’s health as a priority as to would the Medical Team at Melbourne. Clark decided he wasn’t capable of playing. Both parties agreed on a settlement. I believe that was a financial settlement for part of his contact this season but that 2015 he is to receive nothing. This deal was agreed. End of matter. He has no further moral obligation to Melbourne Football Club after this season. What he does owe everyone and most importantly himself is to make sure he is in the best possible health before attempting a comeback or any discussion with Melbourne as to whether the comeback is there or he is traded or delisted.
When was the last time you had an expert check your mental health ?
Ricky Nixon’s take on AFL #ChickenGoesBANG Mondays and Fridays 6pm Sporting News Australia
Contact Ricky Nixon via info@rickynixon.com.au
Ricky Nixon 