Melbourne recruit Mitch Clark admits it did sting when his former Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews described him as an overpaid, average player.
Clark bounced back from a modest debut with the Demons in round one by booting five goals last weekend against West Coast, but he says whether that proves a point or not to Matthews is not his concern.
Four-time AFL premiership coach Matthews says ex-Brisbane big man Clark had one good year in the ruck in 2009 and has never looked more than an average key-position player.
“Ben Hudson will be a better recruit for the Lions than Mitch Clark for Melbourne and save about half a million dollars in the process,” Matthews told Channel Seven’s AFL Game Day on April 1.
Clark, who was drafted by Melbourne for pick No.12 last October on a lucrative four-year deal, said Matthews was entitled to his opinion.
“It stung a little bit coming from the ex-coach,” Clark told reporters on Tuesday.
“(Ex-Western Bulldogs ruckman) Hudson’s going to be a great pick-up for the Lions I’m sure and hopefully I can be a good pick-up for the Demons.
“I’m not going to worry about what Leigh or anyone else is saying.
“What I care about is how my teammates and my coaches see me within my club.
“If I can just play my role for the team then I’m happy with that.”
Clark’s breakout season in 2009 came in the first year of the Michael Voss era at Brisbane following the departure of Matthews.
The 200cm ruck/forward said he had full faith in the under-siege Mark Neeld’s coaching methods and urged fans to get behind the Demons as they grapple with a new game plan.
Melbourne face another win-less team Richmond on Saturday at the MCG where a third defeat would heap further misery and media spotlight upon the Demons.
“We just want the supporters to stick with us,” said Clark, 24.
“We know that we can turn it around.
“It’s going to take a bit of time under a complete new game plan.”
Clark said the Melbourne media’s intense scrutiny of AFL clubs was a lot different to rugby-league dominated Brisbane.
“I knew that coming down. That’s the world we live in,” he said.
“I suppose if you’re not ready for it, it can probably get a hold of you.”
