Clark is serving a two year suspension after testing positive to Dimethylamylamine, a substance found in an energy drink named ‘Hemo Rage’, following a game for Frankston in 2011.
Then 20 years old, Clark was unaware he had consumed a banned product.
In fact, he took the drink despite knowing he was scheduled for a drug test after the game.
“I did all the usual warm ups. But this day I was running late and I didn’t have a chance to grab all my pre-drinks,” Clark told AFL.com.au.
“So one of my teammates told me that he’s got something that’s similar to a ‘Powerade’ and a ‘V’, so I went ahead and trusted him.”
“That was the first week I’d had it … in my team I think there was about 15 of us.”
Initially handed a nine month suspension, ASADA appealed, and Clark’s sentence was increased to the maximum penalty of two years.
“I think maybe it’s because of all the stuff that’s happening in the NRL and the AFL. If my sentence gets reduced then obviously all the AFL players will have something to back themselves up,” Clark said.
“I just reckon its all one big set up. It’s weird.”
Despite his experience with ASADA, Clark doesn’t believe the same heavy-handed approach will be used against Essendon.
“I reckon everything will get dropped with Essendon. In the VFL, I reckon they’ll be a lot harder on them than the AFL players.”
Asked if he could see any AFL player facing this kind of punishment in the future, Clark’s answer was simple.
“No.”
The supplement that ended Clark’s VFL career was bought at a store, easily accessible to any athlete.
“There’s a 20 minute DVD that they get you to watch. But the year that I got done, we didn’t even sit down and watch it. It was just playing in the background while everyone was getting changed for training.”
But his story has drawn attention to the subject, with some of his teammates creating a website called ‘What Supp’, aimed at informing athletes about danger products.
For now, Clark’s local community has rallied to create a fundraiser, to support the 22 year old’s Supreme Court fight against ASADA.
Named ‘Chasing Justice’, the event will be held on Sunday 24 March at Regents Park in Aspendale.
The saga is taking its toll on the Clark family, as his mother Jan battles cancer.
“Mum’s under a lot of stress at the moment, that’s why I’m kind of just hoping to drop it all at the moment. Her health worries me more than anything else,” Clark explains.
“I reckon this next one (court fight) is going to cost me $15,000 plus.”
Jacqui Reed is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @JacquiReedAFL
