Clark, who crossed from the Brisbane Lions at the end of the 2011 season via the trade period, said he was “Melbourne through and through now”.
“I want to be known as a Melbourne player and not the guy who came across from Brissy (Brisbane). I’ve really loved the supporters here - they’ve got a lot of passion for the footy club and it’s great to see,” he said.
“They’ve done a great job this year of sticking with us through a really tough season. I really appreciate their support and I’ve never really felt that support from supporters before, so it’s been great.
“Hopefully, they can stick with us for many more years, and we can give them some reward for doing so.”
Although he almost returned to his native Western Australia at the end of the 2011 season, Clark was lured to Melbourne, and he said that the move had invigorated him.
“I’ve absolutely enjoyed it. The move’s been really good for me. It’s reignited that passion that I’ve got for footy again,” he said.
“I feel a bit reborn and like an 18 year-old again. Having said that, we’ve had a pretty bad year in terms of wins and losses, but personally I’ve found the move really beneficial for myself, and I’ve enjoyed my time with the boys.
“I feel like I’ve fitted in really well, so hopefully it’ll give me something to build off and hopefully I can have a better year personally and as a group.”
Clark said that receiving the No. 11 guernsey, worn by the late, great Jim Stynes, was another important moment in feeling being adopted into the red and blue.
“It was a big thrill for myself when Cam [Schwab] had mentioned it to me. I was very excited about the opportunity. I just wanted to talk to Jimmy about it and see how he felt about it, and once I got Jim’s blessing to take the number … I was really excited by the opportunity,” he said.
“Jim’s passing was a tough time for the footy club - we’ve gone through that now and we take Jim’s spirit with us, as we go through the years.
“It’s been good - I’ve really loved the support I’ve got from all the supporters … hopefully I can turn it into a bit of my own number in the coming years.”
Clark acknowledged it had been a massive twelve months, given he went through last year’s trade week, which he added was “something that I don’t wish on anyone”. Then, after adapting to a new state and club, he had to deal with a serious foot injury, which ended his season after round 13.
“It’s been a pretty hectic time. I had a lot of time on the phone [during trade week] … but it was one of those things I had to do and I’m really glad that I’m here now at Melbourne,” he said.
“Pre-season, I was coming off a few injuries. I wasn’t able to do a lot before Christmas, so what I was doing was earning the respect of my teammates and staff here. I feel as though I’ve done that and gelling with the leadership group has been great for myself.
“We’ve got a really good group of guys in there, and I’ve really enjoyed that part of my footy this year - especially now that I’m injured, it’s given me something else to focus on.
“With the foot, it’s just one of those things that happen in footy, unfortunately. I’ve gone through a few serious injuries before … and the best thing I can do is just get myself ready for next season now, so that’s my main focus heading into the off-season.”
Clark said his elevation into the leadership group after just months of being at the club was something he was proud of - and has since been relishing.
“I think the biggest thing I brought was the standards I set for training and how I prepare myself for footy,” he said.
“I bring a bit of experience, as I’ve been around for a while now, so I know what it takes … that was the biggest thing. I know the boys a bit better, and I can offer a bit more of my ideas and opinions on different things.
“I really enjoyed that part of it - we’ve got a good group of guys there and hopefully we can stick together for many years to come.”
Reflecting back on his first match for Melbourne - against his former side at the MCG in round one - Clark said he was frustrated by his display and his new side going down by 43 points.
“Most of all, I was just disappointed with my performance - that was the main thing I took out of it,” he said.
“I didn’t perform my role for the team and I was very disappointed with that, so I made it my big focus that I wouldn’t do that the next week.
“The Leigh Matthews stuff (comments about Clark’s performance) and words from outside were just that - words from outside and stuff that I can’t control. What I can control is my performance and how I prepare to perform, so that’s where my focus is.”
Although Clark kicked two goals in round one, he stepped up to be one of Melbourne’s standouts in its worst loss for the season, against the West Coast Eagles in round two - booting five goals at Patersons Stadium.
“It was enjoyable to go back - it’s always great to go back and play in front of my family and friends in Perth, but it was a 108-point loss, and it was bittersweet,” he said.
“I probably made up for the week before … it was pretty disappointing to lose over there, but in saying that, the Eagles are a great side and over there, they’re very tough to beat.
“We took a lot from that game and last week, in the last round, there were a few bad memories about playing at Patersons Stadium, but as the years go by, hopefully we can start to learn how to win away and that’ll be very important for us.”
Having been named in the 2009 All-Australian squad for his outstanding year in the ruck with the Lions, Clark said it had taken time to readjust in attack.
“I’m probably just beginning to gain that confidence as a forward. I played a lot as a forward when I was a junior, and up in Brisbane I played in the ruck when a few of the boys were injured,” he said.
“It also adds another string and I know that I can do both now, and that’s exciting. If Neeldy needs me to go into the ruck, I know I can do that for the team and hopefully I can hold my own in there.
“Up forward, hopefully I can do my role for the team as well. As I said, it just gives me that confidence that I can perform both roles. And hopefully, with a bit more training and learning off the coaches and other players, I can continue to do that this season.”
But Clark played some of his best matches of the season against eventual top eight teams - booting 16 goals combined against West Coast, Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood.
“It just shows that it gives you something to build on for next season,” he said about that statistic.
“I’ve felt like I’ve had to learn how to play forward again, having spent a bit of time in the ruck in my early years.
“I’m starting to feel a bit more comfortable inside the forward 50, and I feel like I’ve grown into my body now, so it just shows me that I’m capable and that I can do it. It gives me that confidence to be able to do it again next season.”
