AT THE end of last season he was a Brisbane Lion who looked like heading to Fremantle.

Now, all of a sudden, Mitch Clark is a member of Melbourne's leadership group.

It's been a dramatic five months for the 24-year-old, but after the hoopla of a trade week in which the Demons swooped and pinched him from under Fremantle's nose, Clark is happy with how things have worked out.

The key forward's election to the club's eight-man leadership group, under co-captains Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes, is a sign that coach Mark Neeld and his new teammates are happy with him, too.

"It's been a crazy four or five months, but I'm pretty proud at the moment," Clark said after Melbourne announced its leaders for 2012 at the MCG on Friday.

"I was pretty surprised.

"I just wanted to come here and earn the respect of my teammates and the staff here.

"Obviously, with this tag, I've earned a bit of respect, but I've still got a long way to go.

"I've only been here a short time, so I can probably give a little bit more of myself now as well.

"I'll just continue to train hard and prepare myself for the season, and hopefully I can earn the respect of the members, supporters and sponsors with the way I go about it on the field."

Although a fresh face among the Demons' leaders, Clark is not new to the role.

He was a member of the Lions' leadership group in 2011 and is pleased with the opportunity to continue to develop as a leader in his new environment.

"I was involved last year and was quite proud of that I suppose, but I've moved on and I'm definitely a Melbourne player now, and I'm very proud to be in this leadership group.

"I don't suppose I've been seeking to be a leader; I don't talk about it too much, I just train and act in a certain way."