James Hird hopes to woo in-demand forward Mitch Clark to Essendon on his return to AFL

JAMES Hird has made his first big splash in recruiting for next season as he tries to lure forward Mitch Clark to the Bombers.

Melbourne v Essendon. MCG. Mitch Clark.

JAMES Hird has made his first big splash in recruiting for next season as he tries to lure ex-Melbourne forward Mitch Clark to the Bombers.

The Essendon coach has made contact with Clark, highly sought-after as he returns to football after his public battle with depression.

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A return west to a club like Fremantle is still seen as an ideal solution for Clark, but that seems a distant possibility given Ross Lyon’s savaging of him this week.

Essendon is not seen as an ideal fit for Clark given the uncertain summer at their Melbourne Airport headquarters but it won’t stop Hird from attempting to woo him.

Collingwood is leading the charge to secure Clark, having met him and pitched their services, but the trade period is still over three weeks away.

The Bombers could do with a third tall forward to help Joe Daniher and Jake Carlisle, but would need a ruckman to help Tom Bellchambers should Paddy Ryder leave.

Melbourne coach Paul Roos will meet Clark again this week as anger builds over his reluctance to remain at the Demons.

It is understood he has been given medical advice that returning to the Demons would not be good for his welfare.

Mitch Clark is preparing to return to the AFL. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

It is understood he was close to walking away from Melbourne in September 2013 before Paul Roos signed on and coaxed him back.

He is determined to arrive at a club which will allow him to thrive as a player and person, maximising his mental health.

Former Sydney and North Melbourne champion Wayne Schwass, who courageously revealed his battle with depression, said it was unfair to second-guess Clark’s motivations.

“For every person it is different. But if his professional advice is that being at a footy club is not in his best interests I would support that decision and take it on face value,’’ he said.

“His health is his No.1 priority and I think we are cynically trying to connect the dots about him doing it for different reasons and it is an easy thing to draw those conclusions, but we need to remind ourselves this is a very complex, very serious illness that can affect individuals in a number of ways.

“Melbourne managed this the best they could but it’s a reminder that we invest a lot into the medical side of things and it’s heavily skewed to the physical. We need to invest more into the emotional health and wellbeing of the playing group so we are better prepared. And then that player might want to come back to that club which has helped them.”

Originally published as James Hird hopes to woo in-demand forward Mitch Clark to Essendon on his return to AFL