MELBOURNE forward Mitch Clark is confident of playing in the opening round of 2013 as he begins his rehab program to recover from the 'lisfranc' injury that ruled him out for the season.
 
Clark had surgery on June 28, four days after suffering the foot injury against Greater Western Sydney in round 13.
 
He joined the club's rehab group last week and is doing upper body weights and circuit work.
 
His foot will remain in a moon-boot for at least the next two weeks to ensure weight is kept off the repaired area until eight weeks have elapsed since surgery.
 
Clark said that while he is focusing on the process rather than an endpoint, he is confident he will make a full recovery.
 
"I'll follow my program," Clark said. "Without any interruptions [I] should be fine for round one."
 
Foot and ankle specialist Dr Mark Blackney performed the surgery and told Melbourne radio recently he expected Clark to be back running in December and playing in round one.
 
It's been a frustrating six weeks for Clark as he was confined to bed for the first two weeks and virtually housebound for a month. The only entertainment was video games and television. He spent a week with his parents in Perth before returning to the club last week.
 
The return to the club has lifted the spirits. "I was feeling a bit guilty just laying in bed for a month or so, so I am glad to be back amongst it," Clark said.
 
The injury occurred during a marking contest in the second quarter of round 13 against the Greater Western Sydney at the MCG, after Clark had kicked four goals in the first quarter.
 
Clark left the ground that day hopeful he might escape serious damage but knew as soon as he got out of the bed the next morning he was in strife.

"I was shattered when doc told me I would have to have surgery," Clark said. "I was pretty gutted. It sort of did not sink in for a few days that my season was over until I was probably sitting at the hospital waiting to go in [for surgery]."
 
Clark had three staples inserted in the foot and was ordered to keep the weight off his foot.
 
He soon managed to get his head around the disappointment of suffering such an unusual injury at a time when he was in great form and such a vital part of the Demons' line-up.
 
"I have tried to stay positive about the whole thing and not let it get to me," Clark said. "I reckon I have had one or two days where it has got me down a fair bit but other than that I have been pretty positive."

Clark said he is yet to speak to former Richmond player Matthew Richardson, who suffered a 'lisfranc' injury in 2000, but is keen to speak to him and anyone else who has suffered the injury to gain an understanding of what might lie ahead.
 
"I'd definitely love to speak to 'Richo' and pick his brain on his experiences through the injury," Clark said.
 
Appointed to the leadership group in February, Clark has been a positive influence on and off the field throughout the year.
 
He had been Melbourne's standout performer in an otherwise disappointing year for the club, kicking 29 goals in 11 games after being recruited from the Brisbane Lions during last year's trade week.
 
With four rounds remaining he still looks likely to win the club's goalkicking award, with the retired Brad Green second with 15 goals.
 
Right now though, all Clark is focusing on is reaching his immediate goals and ticking them off slowly. He will return to his surgeon later this month to assess his progress.
 
"Hopefully this [injury] won't hold me back too much," Clark said.

"[It's] disappointing not to be out there for the rest of the season and finish off the year with the boys but I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead of getting back up for next year and getting amongst it again with the lads in pre-season and getting the team back to where we need to be."
 
He is positive about the future and in a good frame of mind.
 
"It is what it is, so no use sulking about it," Clark said. "All I want to do is keep reaching the goals the medical staff set me."