Carlton’s priority pick could help secure Mitch McGovern in trade

ADELAIDE will set its sights on Carlton’s priority pick in a trade for Mitch McGovern but the Crows are likely to entertain offers from other clubs to get the best value for the young forward.

Mitch McGovern has requested a trade. Picture: Sarah Reed

ADELAIDE will set its sights on Carlton’s priority pick in a trade for Mitch McGovern, believing the Blues will eventually be handed a mid first-round pick around selection 12.

The Crows see McGovern’s strong link with Blues assistant and former Adelaide forward line coach David Teague as be a strong factor in him potentially getting to Carlton.

Carlton chief executive and president Mark LoGiudice met with the AFL Commission on Wednesday to discuss their plans to improve, which involve being granted a priority pick by the league.

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Their clear target area for their list is securing more midfield support for Patrick Cripps and Zac Fisher, but with a young forward line McGovern would also hold some appeal.

Already multiple clubs have contacted the Crows over McGovern, who officially asked for a trade out of Adelaide this week.

Carlton seems wedded to keeping the No.1 overall pick for Geelong Falcon Sam Walsh.

He is the perfect package — a midfielder with tricks and pace who oozes leadership, awarded a vote by every player in the AFL Academy as this year’s Ben Mitchell medallist recognising courage, trust and commitment.

If the Blues do receive a priority pick after the draft selections handed to non-finalists it would placate an Adelaide football department still unsure why McGovern has walked out on the club only a year after signing a deal.

Carlton has been linked with Mitch McGovern. Picture: AAP

McGovern, 23, has great upside but has kicked only 67 goals from 48 games, known for freakish highlights rather than consistent good performances.

Adelaide’s view is that it will trade him to a club that gives it the best value rather than a single destination of choice.

McGovern is still seen to be miffed that Bryce Gibbs came in with a bigger wage bill than him after he initially signed, with the key forward kicking only 15 goals in 12 games this year.

If Carlton received a priority pick in the mid-first rounds it would be 12, given a compensation pick to Gold Coast at No.3 for Tom Lynch.

Adelaide’s aspiration is to secure the No.1 pick to draft local tall Jack Lukosius and on current ladder position have pick 7, 14 (traded from Melbourne) and Carlton’s pick 19.

A fourth selection in the mid-teens would surely give the Crows enough early picks to orchestrate a trade with a club in the top three and draft McGovern and Walker’s long-term replacement in Lukosius.

The Blues will target midfield support for Patrick Cripps. Picture: Getty Images

Adelaide captain Walker said he wanted to quiz McGovern on the reasons for his trade request, which clearly combine his salary, his relationship with Don Pyke and the club’s horror season.

“I don’t know … and that is something that I would like to find out,” Walker said.

“It’s disappointing that we lose a quality player and a quality fella.

“I do take it personally but I have learnt in my 11 years (in the AFL system) that it’s just the caper we’re in. A deal still needs to be done.

“In … contract, you don’t really get a say in ‘I want to to go to this club’.

Adelaide has made clear it has re-signed 15 players this year despite the departures of Jake Lever, Charlie Cameron and McGovern in only 12 months.

The Crows prioritised the signing of key forward McGovern over Lever, which saw the Demons offer Lever a bigger deal, only to lose McGovern a season later.

Originally published as Carlton’s priority pick could help secure Mitch McGovern in trade