KEY FORWARD Mitch Clark has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash against Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

Coach Mark Neeld confirmed on Thursday morning that Clark would not return north to take on his former side, due to a foot injury.  

“Mitch has had some secondary scans yesterday (Wednesday), which the majority is really good news,” he said from AAMI Park.

“It means that his Lisfranc and everything involving that operation is exactly doing what it should be, so that’s really positive.

“It’s been well documented that he’s had that operation, which is going well, and he’s had a mid-foot sprain and he’s rolled the ankle all in that one area.

“He’s not going to play this week, just because he needs a bit of a breather, so it’ll be a week by week thing.”

Neeld said Clark’s absence this week did not mean another tall forward Chris Dawes would make his debut with the Demons this round.

“Because Mitch is not playing, we need to be really mindful that it doesn’t all of a sudden mean that Chris Dawes’ hamstring is ready to go this week,” he said.

“We’re planning to play him (Dawes) in the VFL this week, which sets him up and we need to see how he performs and pulls up.

“He may or may not be available before our following game. We need to have a look at what our forward line looks like.

“James Sellar, he’ll come into consideration [this round], but Jack Fitzpatrick, he’s only been back for one week, after a long-term injury, so I don’t think Jack’s quite ready for AFL selection just yet.”

Neeld said ruck duo Mark Jamar and Max Gawn were likely to spend some time up forward again, after they combined for three goals in last Sunday’s win over Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.

“We thought that they worked pretty well in tandem and we’ll continue with that,” he said.

Neeld said leader Jordie McKenzie was in the mix to play against the Lions, after he returned via the VFL last week, having missed two matches with a calf injury.

“Jordie was out with a soft-tissue injury and he came back and played a full game in the VFL, which is what you want and what the player needs,” he said.

“Jordie’s been back in training for a week or two weeks and he’s played a game at VFL, so he’ll come into consideration this week, no doubt.”

Although Neeld acknowledged that last round’s win had lifted the morale of the Demons, he said the mood of the club hadn’t changed dramatically.

“You would literally be surprised [that in] sporting organisations, when you win, lose or draw – there’s not a massive difference,” he said.

“It’s a little bit of a lift in spirits, but in terms of the way the week works, it doesn’t change much to be honest.

“We’re looking forward to getting up to Brisbane and we’ll take a bit of confidence out of what happened from our game last weekend and we’ll just see [how we go].”