MITCHClark’s conclusion to retire from the AFL was a “brave decision” according tomanager of football operations Josh Mahoney.

Mahoneysaid the fact Clark had missed 18 months with a serious foot injury and hadsuffered several soft-tissue problems had proved critical.

Heconfirmed that Clark had been suffering mental illness for the past 12 months,with some of his teammates aware of his situation. Mahoney added that Clark wouldremain in Melbourne to receive the “proper treatment”.

“He’sbeen through a horrendous run of injuries over the time he’s been at theMelbourne footy club and it’s a decision we support 100 per cent as a footyclub,” he said at AAMI Park on Tuesday evening.

“Aswe’ve said all along, the number one focus during this period has been Mitch’shealth and at the moment [retirement] is the best thing for his health, goingforward.”

Mahoneysaid the club was “very open” about Clark continuing his AFL career with theDemons. But equally, Mahoney said the club would continue to offer Clarkongoing support. 

“Mitch’shealth was his priority and if he said he wanted to come back and saw it as animportant part of him getting back to being healthy, we [would’ve] fullysupported that – as we are with his decision,” he said.

Mahoneysaid Clark had sent a message to the players, after they were informed onTuesday afternoon.

Headded that Clark “wasn’t up to speaking to the players”, but had sent “a greatmessage” and would catch up with them in the coming weeks.

Mahoneysaid Clark was frustrated that he couldn’t help his teammates, givenMelbourne’s plight with its key forwards.

“He’sreally disappointed with this outcome and he was desperate to get out and helpthe footy club moving forward,” he said.

“Rightnow, he can see that there is a role there for him because we can see thatwe’re struggling without any key forwards.

“That’swhat made this decision even harder for Mitch.”

Mahoneyconfirmed Clark would remain on Melbourne’s list for 2014 and added that itwould be “inappropriate” to talk about “financial ramifications”.

“That’ssomething that will be worked out in due course,” he said.

Mahoneysaid mental health was an issue society and football clubs were still “learningmore and more about”.

“Wehad Beyond Blue present to us early this year, about trying to give us moreeducation on mental health and looking for signs and what we can do – when wesee signs and it’s something that we continually have to look at,” he said.

“SometimesAFL is looked at, as a glamourous sport and you can see all of those things,but there is a lot more pressure in AFL football than people realise,particularly when players are going through injuries and threatening theircareers – it’s a pretty difficult environment.”

Mahoneysaid the Demons had thrown their full support behind Clark from the moment hejoined from the Brisbane Lions in 2011.

“Thisis a disappointing outcome and we’ve been supportive of Mitch, when he firstsigned on three years ago. We really thought he was going to be a key player inour rise up the ladder – [but] it hasn’t worked out that way for a number ofcircumstances,” he said.

“Wethank Mitch for what he’s given to the footy club. He’s only played 15 games,but what he has contributed off the field – he’s always embraced the supportersand embraced the fans. He sees himself as a Melbourne person.”