Introduction Key position player Mitch Clark commenced his career with the Lions as a forward where he showcased his potential. Despite being sidelined for much of the early stages of his AFL career, Clark has emerged as versatile quality big man capable of playing a variety of roles in attack, defence and ruckman. Background • Clark – a key position prospect from East Fremantle in Western Australia – turned down an AIS volleyball scholarship to focus on his AFL career. • He was the joint winner of the Kevin Sheehan Medal for the best player at the 2003 U16 National Championships with Richmond star Brett Deledio and was widely touted in some early draft predictions as a likely top three candidate. • After overcoming a bout of meningococcal disease during his final year as a junior, Clark lasted until selection No.9 in the 2005 National Draft and the Lions didn’t hesitate in taking the young West Australian. 2006 • Clark worked hard during his first pre-season and was rewarded with a spot in the team’s opening NAB Cup match against Essendon. The tall forward provided a great target in the absence of regular attacking options Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw and kicked three goals. • His pre-season form warranted selection in the Lions’ senior opener against Geelong at Kardinia Park where he realised most young draftees’ dream by kicking a goal with his first kick in AFL football. • He showed great promise in the Club’s opening fixtures both as a tall forward option and also as a pinch-hitting back-up ruckman for Jamie Charman when necessary. • The enhanced pace and physicality of playing at the highest level eventually took its toll on Clark’s body when a bad case of osteitis pubis flared up after only six games and ultimately ended his debut season. 2007 • After missing much of the 2007 pre-season with a troublesome knee injury, Clark exploded back onto the football scene with a number of dominant displays for the Suncoast Lions. • He was soon recalled to the senior team in Round 9 against Collingwood where he took seven marks and kicked a career-high five goals in the Lions’ 33-point loss. • His efforts against the Pies made the football fraternity sit up and notice his potential and he was subsequently honoured with an AFL Rising Star Nomination. • Unfortunately injury struck again only a few weeks later which kept Clark out of the senior side until Round 21. • The big West Australian had been limited in his opportunities to display his potential due to injury. He managed only four matches in his second season to take his career tally to 10 matches in two years. 2008 • After almost completing a full pre-season for the first time, Clark’s horrid run with injury continued when he injured his quad during a routine pre-season training exercise. • He returned to the senior side in Round 7 against reigning premier Geelong and proved the team’s best forward target with three goals in the Lions’ narrow loss. • He was soon moved into the middle to assist Jamie Charman with the ruck duties. Clark had a career-best 14 hitouts against Carlton at Telstra Dome in Round 8 and twice collected a career-best 16 disposals – in Rounds 9 and 11 against St Kilda and Fremantle respectively. • His versatility was tested again later in the season when Leigh Matthews moved him down back to fill a void in defence. Clark had now developed into a versatile and athletic weapon that could be used at both ends of the ground. • He played 12 consecutive matches in the seniors before suffering another quad injury in the Round 18 clash against North Melbourne which kept him out of the Club’s final four matches of the season.2009 • With a full pre-season under his belt and a new Senior Coach at the helm, Mitch Clark's fortunes changed in 2009. • He was forced to shoulder the team's ruck load after established Lions ruckmen Jamie Charman and Matthew Leuenberger succumbed to season-ending injuries in the opening month of the season. • Clark relished his additional responsibility and went on to play all 24 senior matches in 2009 and almost redefined the role of the modern-day ruckman along the way. • His height, endurance and athleticism meant that he could compete against both the agile ruckmen and the so-called 'dinosaurs' of the AFL. • He finished fourth in the competition in total hitouts with a career-best 37 taps against Fremantle in Round 16 at Subiaco.
• He also proved to be a valuable ball-winner, averaging 16.3 disposals including a career-high 28 against Essendon in Round 19. • Clark became widely recognised as one of the most damagin ruckmen in the competition and was selected in the AFL All-Australian initial 40-man sqaud. He was surprisingly overlooked in the final All-Australian team behind Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands. • His value to the team in 2009 was recognised at the Club Champion dinner when he finished third behind Lions stars Jonathan Brown and Simon Black in the Merrett-Murray Medal. • He also received the Shaun Hart Most Courageous Player award for his efforts in backing up week after week in one of the game's most difficult positions.
• 2009 proved a breakthrough year for Clark who more than doubled his career games tally and delivered on his obvious potential as a teenager.
Matthew Leuenberger says his coaches will have to choose two ruckmen from him, Mitch Clark and Jamie Charman Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 10:11AM
Lions ruckman Mitch Clark says the young brigade at the Gabba wants to create their own historySaturday, September 12, 2009 - 12:48AM
Mitch Clark could spend more time off the ball and in the forward line in an effort to keep him fresh against the DogsWednesday, September 09, 2009 - 6:09PM
Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss has a contingency plan in place should his remaining ruckman, Mitch Clark, sustain an injuryFriday, July 03, 2009 - 11:21AM
The Brisbane Lions have the depth to cover a defence further depleted by another injury, says ruckman Mitch ClarkSunday, June 07, 2009 - 10:49AM
Queensland Firebirds goal-shooter Romelda Aiken and Lions ruckman Mitch Clark speak to the media about their upcoming matches.Wednesday, June 03, 2009 - 2:37PM
Mitch Clark speaks to the media about the recent win, his ruck duties and the upcoming match agains St Kilda.Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 3:00PM
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