MATTHEW Clark woke up one morning four weeks ago, and took the first steps to reviving his football career.

He hit the gym, where he can now be found about six nights a week.

He has already dropped 4kg, and is aiming to lose another three to be in prime condition for his football comeback.

"Something just kind of clicked in my head where I just thought, 'Enough's enough, time to stop putting on weight, and get fit for footy'," Clark told AFL.com.au.

But it's not as simple as it sounds.

Clark, 22, is serving a two-year suspension handed down by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), after he was found guilty of taking a banned substance whilst playing for Frankston in the VFL in 2011.

His story has been well documented. 

He accepted a pre-match drink named 'Hemo Rage' from a teammate and afterwards, tested positive to an ingredient named Dimethylamylamine.

Clark says he was aware that he would be drug tested that day, but was assured by his teammate that the product was within the drug code.

Initially handed a nine-month ban, ASADA appealed the decision, and eventually, Clark was given the maximum two years.

The event has completely changed his life.

While he was busy trying to get his head around the legal battles that accompanied the positive drug test, his mother Jan was fighting terminal cancer.

Despite her battles, she took the time to pen a letter expressing her dismay at her son's initial nine-month sanction.

"While devastated by the news, we considered it to be a fair and just result," Mrs Clark wrote.

Click here to read Jan Clark's letter

"After having Matthew see a psychologist for eight weeks, Matt began to sort out his thoughts and come to terms that football was over for the year. 

"During this time, I was doing quite a bit of research on the internet into decisions that were handed down that were very similar cases to Matthew's. 

"I discovered that two NRL players, both 20-year-olds like Matthew, had consumed the same performance enhancing drug, and had received six month penalties."

Mrs Clark was suspicious of the motives behind the decision to upgrade his sanction.

She was also disappointed she wouldn't see him run out for round one, when he would have been free to return.

"As any mum would, I will fight this case until my last breath," Mrs Clark wrote.

"I will not go anywhere until my son's name has been cleared of being a deceitful drug cheat."




Matthew Clark says he can't wait to play football again, to honour his late mum. Picture: AFL Media

Tragically, Mrs Clark never saw her son play football again.

She passed away just two days before Mother's Day this year, leaving the Clark family heartbroken.

But rather than give up, Clark is using his mother's memory as motivation to succeed.

"It's been the hardest three years of my life," Clark said.

"I'm just happy to finally be turning things around and reassessing my goals. I'm just looking forward to getting back out there, and making mum proud."

The disappointment of his suspension pales in comparison to the devastation his family has endured at the loss of their matriarch.

Her fight and will to survive will long be remembered by those closest to her, and lives on in her letter.

That inspiration has given Clark a new outlook, and a heart-wrenching desire to succeed.

"Right now it's probably the easiest it's ever been in my life," Clark said.

"Probably about six or seven weeks ago it was the hardest it's ever been. Every time I train, I just think of mum."

Clark still has 10 months remaining on his ban, but that hasn't deterred him.

Nor has the fact that he isn't allowed to train with any football clubs while serving the suspension.

That isolation has given him plenty of time to think, as he attacks his solo workouts.

In those moments he can picture his triumphant football return, and exactly how he will honour his mum's memory. 

"Just that first VFL game will be my first goal, with plenty of friends and family watching on," Clark said.

"I just can't wait to be running around with my black arm band on for mum."

Jacqui Reed is a reporter with AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @JacquiReedAFL