Crows premiership coach Malcolm Blight slams McGovern’s reasons for wanting out
THERE are plenty of understandable reasons for wanting to leave a club but Malcolm Blight says Mitch McGovern is yet to offer up a reasonable one for wanting to depart West Lakes.
- Wantaway Crow likely to ask for trade to Blues
- Bidding war for Chad Wingard
- Gibbs deal could cost Blues
- Who is on the Crows board?
- Power face tough trade questions
DUAL Adelaide premiership coach Malcolm Blight has slammed the reasons offered up by Mitch McGovern for wanting to leave the Crows and intimated his move is more about cash.
McGovern, 23, who had two years to run on his contract, has been linked to both Carlton and the Gold Coast in early trade speculation after confirming he wants out of Adelaide.
His manager, Colin Young, told the AFL trade radio launch McGovern had lost confidence in the direction of the Crows as one of the chief reasons for his wish to change clubs.
“Twelve months ago, when Mitch signed, he obviously had a belief and thoughts of where the club was going,” Young said.
“During the 12 months since he signed the club has been on a bit of a rollercoaster.
“Obviously his belief in where the club is going has waned and he’s seeking a trade.”
The reasons offered up by McGovern’s camp irked Blight, whose credentials include premierships as a player and a coach, a Brownlow Medal, a Magarey Medal, a Coleman Medal, a Ken Farmer Medal and Legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
He bristled after listening to the explanation.
“I can’t believe that a 23-year-old with 50-odd games — his faith has waned?” Blight said on Adelaide radio station FIVEaa. “Excuse me.
“You’re too busy trying to play the game, get a kick and be good (at that age).
“Making assessments of a whole football club that’s been around nearly 30 years and has never bottomed out — and you wane?
“Get over it.
“Tell the truth: ‘I’m going for cash because I’m hungry for cash.’
“He shouldn’t make any assessment, except in the mirror.”