AFL trade news 2018: Mitch McGovern will make preference choice of four clubs soon
MITCH McGovern has a four-club choice in front of him after his manager revealed the dynamic forward’s belief in Adelaide’s direction had “waned”.
McGovern’s manager Colin Young revealed his client, who’s contracted until 2020, had been assessing four clubs — West Coast, Fremantle, Carlton and an unnamed fourth side Young opted not to reveal — over recent weeks after telling Adelaide he wanted to be traded.
Young said he hopes McGovern’s preferred club choice would be announced in the next week, with the Blues heavily favoured to win the forward’s services.
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It was only 12 months ago that McGovern re-signed with the Crows for three more seasons.
But Young said his client’s change of heart came after a “rollercoaster” 2018 campaign and a meeting with Adelaide coach Don Pyke.
“When Mitchell signed, he obviously had a belief and thoughts on where the club was going over the journey. During the 12 months since he’s signed, the club’s been on a bit of a rollercoaster,” Young said at the AFL Trade Radio launch.
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“Mitch had been having meetings regularly with the club on where he thought the club was going. To Don’s credit, at the end of the season they had a fairly lengthy meeting and they both agreed Mitch probably wasn’t a fit for the Crows.
“His belief in where the club was going has waned and obviously he’s seeking a trade.”
Asked if McGovern could play for the Crows in 2019 if a trade with a rival club couldn’t be struck, Young said: “That’s a good question … one you’ll have to ask (McGovern).”
As the Blues only hold one first-round selection at this stage — Pick 1, which they’re expected to use to take a player such as Geelong Falcon Sam Walsh — they might have to use a possible priority pick via the AFL to get a deal done for McGovern.
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Young said he was unsure how a deal for McGovern would get done at the moment.
“I don’t know what Carlton’s going to end up with. There’s a couple of Melbourne clubs we’re still talking to,” Young said.
“Obviously Carlton are a contender, but to say what he’s worth, it’s going to be dictated to by what Carlton — or what other clubs — has and what Adelaide needs.
“It’s well written Adelaide are trying to look at the two players, whether it be (Izak) Rankine or (Jack) Lukosius or whatever it might be … I can’t put a number on it (his worth), I just can’t.”