Mitch Clark has announced his retirement from the AFL as he recovers from depression.
The Melbourne forward has decided he will be unable to commit to the rigours of the AFL , choosing to put his health first.
“I just want to say thank you to the Melbourne Football Club, firstly for giving me the chance to play for them and secondly for taking care of me during my time there,” Clark said.
“I want to say thank you to the players and members for being there for me. I’m sorry I wasn’t out on the field more, but with my injuries, it just wasn’t to be.
Melbourne revealed this afternoon that Clark had been battling mental illness for a year, leading to a diagnosis of clinical depression.
Since transferring from Brisbane at the end of 2011, Clark’s time at Melbourne has been vexed, with a number of major physical injuries preventing him from taking the field.
He played just 15 games for Melbourne over two seasons and will retire with 97 games and 97 goals to his name.