Matthew Leuenberger Den Diary

I might be showing personal bias here, but I reckon Mitch Clark has been one of the most improved players in AFL competition this year.

Since Jamie Charman and I both went down with injuries early on in the season, Mitch has been forced to shoulder most of the team’s ruck duties by himself.

His role is likely to continue for the rest of the season as well with Charmo out until next year with an ankle injury while I’m still probably a bit over a month away from returning.

While Mitch played a fair bit in the ruck during his junior years, he has become better known as a key forward since joining the Club in 2006.

He earned a Rising Star nomination for a five goal performance up forward against Collingwood at the Gabba in 2007 and has even been trialled in defence as a tall and mobile centre half-back.

His successful transition to the ruck has been just another feather in his cap and is further proof of how versatile the big fella really is.

Despite only playing sparingly in the ruck for the first month of the season, Mitch has since shown that he can match it with the best in the business.

He is currently ranked sixth among all ruckmen in total disposals (185), third in tackles (46), seventh in hitouts (244) and third in marks (68). He has also had more rebound 50s (22) than any other ruckman in the competition.

Most importantly, he has played in every match for the Club so far this season and is quickly becoming one of the team’s most important players.

It’s been a massive effort particularly considering he managed only 22 senior matches in his first three seasons in the AFL.

I think Mitch is really enjoying the responsibility and challenge of being the team’s number one ruckman.

He has been ably supported in the ruck by Jared Brennan, who at only 195cm has been more than helpful as his back-up. Jared has helped Mitch get a breather every now and then and was particularly good in the ruck during the final quarter against Hawthorn back in Round 12.

Even regular full-back Daniel Merrett got into the action last Saturday night against Melbourne and showed that he can have a crack in the middle when Mitch needs a break.

It’s reassuring to know that these guys are really standing up in the absence of our injured ruckmen. The same has occurred recently in defence with the likes of Lachlan Henderson, Jason Roe and Joel Macdonald doing the job down back in the absence of Daniel Merrett, Josh Drummond and Joel Patfull.

The Club is very big on having a depth of talent that can help fill any voids left by injuries.

Before I finish, I would like to send my thoughts out to Lions Development Coach Craig Brittain who is currently in hospital battling a post-operative staphylococcus infection after having surgery on his knee.

It is pretty similar to the one I suffered a couple of months ago after my knee operation and I wish him all the best with his recovery.