Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern says decision to leave Crows not all about football

After joining Carlton for his first day of training, new Blue Mitch McGovern shared some of the reasons behind his decision to leave Adelaide — but he’s not willing to tell all of his story just yet.

New Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern. Pic: Michael Klein

Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern has revealed missing selection for Adelaide in the 2017 Grand Final played a part in his decision to leave the Crows for the Blues.

McGovern admitted he was “a bit” jealous of brother Jeremy McGovern for getting the chance to play in a Grand Final and win a premiership with the West Coast Eagles after his own dream was shattered last year.

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The forward was ruled out of Adelaide’s Grand Final against Richmond after failing to recover from a hamstring strain, a decision he said had burned him.

“That one hurt me a bit, it’s not very often you get the opportunity to play in a Grand Final,’’ McGovern said on Monday.

“There was a bit of jealousy knowing ‘Jezza’ got to play in one and win one.

“That burnt me for a while, but I’m pretty sure I’ve sort of moved on from that one.’’

Mitch McGovern shows off his new colours. Picture: Michael Klein

Asked if it played a part in his move to leave the Crows, McGovern said: “There were areas of it, definitely.’’

McGovern said he had feared his brother would suffer the same fate he did after he was also under an injury cloud before the Eagles’ flag win over Collingwood.

“I missed my opportunity last year and on the eve of the Grand Final we weren’t too sure whether ‘Jezza’ would pull up for the game,’’ McGovern said.

“It was quite a scary few days for me thinking he was going to go through the exact same thing I went through the year before.

“It was pretty heartwarming to see him win on the day, but there’s a lot of burning blood inside that he got that opportunity and ended up winning it so it gives me that drive to try to help this footy club get there.’’

West Coast's Jeremy McGovern hugs brother Mitch after the Eagles’ Grand Final win. Picture: Michael Klein

McGovern, who joined the Blues in last month’s trade period after three seasons at Adelaide, said his decision to leave the Crows was not purely based on football.

“Obviously I don’t want to say what’s going on behind the scenes,’’ said McGovern, who also fielded interest from the West Australian teams.

“It wasn’t part of the (Crows) talent or the footy ability of the group, for me it was more outside of those four walls and that’s something that’s personal to me at this stage.’’

McGovern said he was prepared to play a swingman role if needed at Carlton, but admitted his preference was to stay in attack and help the club’s young forwards.

He kicked 67 goals in his 48 games at the Crows, but was trialled in defence at times last season.

McGovern hits the training track on Monday in his new colours. Picture: Michael Klein

“I’ve been thrown around a bit … at Adelaide,’’ McGovern said.

“In the forward line is where I’m most comfortable, whether that is centre half-forward or full-forward, or playing as a smaller forward under the big guys’ feet.

“Hopefully I’ll find myself there in some parts of the game, but I’m more than comfortable to find myself up the ground and watch Charlie (Curnow) and H (Harry McKay) dominate.

“Whatever ‘Bolts’ (coach Brendon Bolton) and the boys need me to play … I’m most comfortable up forward, but I did play last round against Carlton down back but chasing tail is probably not the best thing.’’

Carlton recruit Alex Fasolo in action during his first session as a Blue. Picture: Michael Klein

McGovern is still in the rehab group after off-season ankle surgery, but expected to build up to more skills work in the next couple of weeks.

After two injury-interrupted seasons, McGovern said his main aim was to get his body ready to play out the full season.

He believed the Blues had the potential to turn things around and challenge for finals quickly.

“You look at the age of the list and the trades that we brought in with (Alex) Fasolo, (Nic) Newman and Will Setterfield we can add a bit more depth to the team,’’ he said.

“I know Carlton had a bit of a horror run last year with injury so if we get all the players on the park and a full list to choose from, we can be very competitive.’’

Originally published as Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern says decision to leave Crows not all about football