Ross Lyon has declared the Fremantle Dockers will not be among the list of teams hoping to land Mitch Clark next season despite the club’s glaring need for a tall forward.
Clark announced his decision to attempt an AFL comeback on Monday, just five months after retiring from professional football due to mental health problems.
But with just Matthew Pavlich in the twilight of his career as the lone big target in the Fremantle forward line, coach Lyon won’t be looking to recruit Clark after passing on an opportunity to join the Dockers ahead of the 2012 season.
“Mitch, what’s his name?” Lyon joked Tuesday.
“I would never make a close-ended statement … but he did have an opportunity to come here that he didn’t take.
“From me at the minute, I’m a bit confused by it all,” Lyon continued.
“From the outside, it’s a very serious issue. He seems like not a well man and mental health is clearly the issue. So I feel pretty uncomfortable even talking about it at the minute.
“I can’t speak for the list management committee, so we’d probably get together (to discuss it).”
Clark’s return to the AFL in 2015 won’t bring any joy to his previous club Melbourne, seemingly out of the race to retain the prized forward after a disastrous 4-18 season.
The 25-year-old made a recent appearance on Channel 7’s Talking Footy, but didn’t rule out a return to the Demons. Reports Tuesday indicated Clark is now no longer considering Melbourne and will opt for the national draft if he and the Demons fail to reach an agreement on a suitable trade.
“I love Melbourne as a footy club. I’d love to stay at Melbourne, but like I said, I haven’t even met with Roosy (coach Paul Roos) yet,” Clark said on Talking Footy.
“I’ve been doing a fair bit of work on myself and hopefully I can stay healthy.”
“I’m keen to get back. I’ve always had the view that I needed to get away to get back, and that’s what I’ve done.
Clarke has never kicked more than 29 goals in a season (over 11 games for Melbourne in 2012) and has struggled with injuries, playing more than 19 games just once in eight seasons.
Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images
