Mitch Clark has chosen Geelong over Collingwood as his preferred landing destination as the big forward edges closer to making an AFL comeback.
The 26-year-old has reportedly elected Geelong as his choice of team to play for in 2015 after narrowing down his list of clubs in recent days, however remains a part of the Melbourne list and needs the Demons to orchestrate an acceptable trade to accommodate the deal.
Clark retired ahead of the 2014 season after struggling with clinical depression, but believes a change of scenery will help revitalise his career.
Melbourne confirmed Clark’s decision on Tuesday with club football operations manager Josh Mahoney saying the Demons will do their best to send forward to his preferred next stop.
“We understand Mitch’s position, he has indicated that Geelong would be his preferred club and that he would like us to get the best deal available for him,” he told AFL.com.au.
“We will work with Geelong on what that deal looks like in the coming days.”
Clark has played in just 95 of a possible 198 AFL home and away season games since making his debut in 2006, however his best would likely elevate an undersized Geelong forward line into one of the league’s best.
Tom Hawkins led the third-placed Cats with 68 goals last season, however the club failed to find a reliable second forward target, receiving just a 27 from 30-year-old utility Jimmy Bartel as the next best option.
The often injured Clark will turn 27 next month, but has a track record of kicking bags of goals when healthy, including a haul of 29 during his 11-game 2012 season with Melbourne.
Clark moved to the Demons ahead of the 2012 season on an estimated $750,000 yearly deal. He is expected to make roughly half of that amount in a new performance-based contract with his next club.
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