MELBOURNE'S professionalism and speedy dealings were significant factors in convincing Mitch Clark to join the club.

The former Lion was traded to the Demons over the weekend after talks broke down with his initial club of choice Fremantle.

Clark had previously stated his desire to leave the Lions was based on returning to his native Western Australia.

But he said he could not knock back the Demons offer.

"A lot of it was how quick it could be done. This week's been very hard on me and my family and they presented really well," Clark said at a media conference on Monday morning.

"I'm really excited about the list here at Melbourne and the role I can play within the team."

Melbourne had only started to show interest in Clark in the middle of last week when he was still widely tipped to join Fremantle.

The Demons then ramped up talks with the Lions and ended up trading its first draft pick (no. 12 overall) for Clark.

So confident was Fremantle of securing the 2009 All-Australian nominee that the club released a media statement on Friday afternoon confirming Clark's commitment to the club.

But a stunning about-face meant that by Saturday night he was a Demon. While that means he is still on the other side of the country from his family, he said it was only after they encouraged him to make the move that he reached peace of mind.

"I went back to Perth and spoke to my family about the decision. Obviously [Melbourne chief executive] Cameron (Schwab) was hassling me a fair bit through text messages," he said.

"It was obviously tough but in the end after speaking to my family, it was an easy decision. They've given me their blessing to come over here. I have to look after myself and my immediate family - my partner and my young daughter."

After missing out on the former Lion, Fremantle released another statement expressing its disappointment in Clark changing his mind so quickly. He said that change of heart had nothing to do with any of Fremantle's shortcomings.

"They presented well to myself. I got told through my agent that the deal could be done straight away with Melbourne and I just wanted to make the decision," he said.

"I'm very happy with the decision I've made."

Clark's deal, believed to be for four-years, will make him one of, if not the highest paid player on Melbourne's list.

He said he welcomed the challenge that came with such high expectations.

"There is definite pressure there but I welcome it and I look forward to the challenge at the footy club and I know that will be working hard on the track and giving myself the best opportunity to perform," he said.

"That will take care of itself."

No trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Monday, October 17.

Follow our complete coverage of the 2011 AFL exchange period from October 10-17. Join the AFL trade conversation on Twitter: use #tradeweek in your tweets

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs