UPDATE: HAWTHORN has been in contact with Geelong after Cats captain Joel Selwood revealed he was made aware of comments directed at forward Mitch Clark during the Easter Monday clash against Hawthorn.

Playing his first AFL game since round four, 2013, Clark was reportedly the subject of sledging from Hawthorn players relating to his past 12 months out of the game due to a mental illness.

The Hawks released a statement, saying: "We have found it difficult to get clarity on what was said and by whom."

"However, both clubs agree that any comments made regarding a person’s mental health issues are completely inappropriate and out of bounds on the footy field."

Hawthorn general manager of football operations Chris Fagan also expressed his views in the statement.

"We don't condone vilification of any type on-field and have used this opportunity to remind our players of their responsibilities in this area," Fagan said.

"Mental illness is a serious issue in society and those who experience it don't deserve to be singled out for abuse or ridicule," he said.

AFL operations manager Mark Evans says the League has received no official complaint from Geelong or Clark about the reports.

Evans told Melbourne radio station 3AW the AFL had been in contact with the Cats.

"There's been no complaint raised," he said.

"It can be trapped under the League's vilification policy - we don't like people being put down for their race, religion, sexuality, or any impairment or handicap - but it's hard to act without a complaint.

"And even when we do get a complaint, it's best solved via mediation.

"We'll continue to see where that goes today."

On Thursday night, Selwood confirmed he and Clark had discussed the matter after the Hawks' 62-point win.

"I was unaware of it at the time of the game being played," Selwood said.

"I have had a discussion with him since the game, there was things brought up about it but we've had discussions before with Mitch and we understand this might be a possibility to come up."

Selwood said Clark was as prepared as possible for the comments that would come his way relating to his well-known battle with clinical depression.

"He's in a really good head space now and the way that he's come to our football club and the impact he's had on our football club already has been huge," he said.

"Personally, I wouldn't be going out there and saying it but if people choose to do it then he's ready for it.

"We're playing a team (Hawthorn) that is ruthless, that are the best team in the league at the moment. You probably expect it to come."

Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson said it was the first he had heard of the incident.

"It's an illness so I don't know if we should be going there," Gibson told Channel Nine.

"I played at that end of the ground and I didn't hear anything like that being said but I wasn't standing next to him to whole day. It's the first I've heard about it.

"What Joel's said that it's an ongoing issue for him.

"You (Geelong) guys have spoken with him and the club and they've probably put things in place to prepare him to hear things like that but you don't want to be hearing that on the field when it's a topic as delicate as that."

Clark told the Geelong website this week it was still an ongoing battle.

"I'm still working through a lot of things, I'm nowhere near cured," he said.

"Some people might see that I've come back to the game pretty quick after stepping away but the most important thing for me was to actually get that separation from the game.

"I still work with my doctor regularly and still take medication every day. I'm still working through a lot and footy's just a part of that."

The 27-year-old announced his retirement from football in April 2014 while playing with Melbourne, after being diagnosed with clinical depression.

He revealed his wish to return to the AFL in September, cutting ties with Melbourne and was recruited to Geelong in October.

Clark himself took to Instagram late on Friday with a message of inspiration which referenced his fight with depression.



Anyone suffering from depression or mental health issues can contact beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au