Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern is ‘unlikely’ to face Geelong in Friday’s preliminary final

ADELAIDE forward Mitch McGovern is unlikely to play in Friday night’s AFL preliminary final because of a hamstring strain.

Mitch McGovern (right) is in doubt. Photo: David Clark/AAP

ADELAIDE forward Mitch McGovern is unlikely to play in Friday night’s AFL preliminary final because of a hamstring strain.

McGovern holds hope of recovering from an injury suffered at training on Saturday but Adelaide’s coaching staff are less optimistic he will front against Geelong.

“He is probably unlikely this week but we haven’t ruled him out,” Crows assistant coach David Teague told reporters on Monday.

“He’s definitely doing everything he can ... I have got no doubt he is going to give himself every chance to get up if he can.”

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Scans on McGovern’s left hamstring revealed a minor strain.

“The results are more favourable than we probably thought,” Teague said.

“It’s not a lot (of damage), it’s just something minor.

“He ran today which surprised me, I didn’t think he would be running this early on, so hopefully he recovers quickly.”

Paul Seedsman and Mitch McGovern at training. Photo: Sarah Reed

McGovern missed 10 games during the home-and-away season because of tear in his right hamstring, with utility Andy Otten filling his attacking role for much of that time.

“Obviously Mitch was out for a while and we tried a couple of different options throughout the year,” Teague said.

“So the positive for us is we have got a lot of depth in that area and we have got quite a few guys who can come in a play a role ... we have definitely got options there.”

Teague said whoever replaced McGovern, who recently signed a three-year contract extension with the Crows, would be asked to play a dual role.

“At certain times they are going to have to compete in the air and they have got to compete on the ground,” he said.

“One of the things Mitch does well, he does both.

“We haven’t relied on one person all year and this game will be no different. Whether Mitch plays or doesn’t play, it will be collective.”

— AAP

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Originally published as Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern is ‘unlikely’ to face Geelong in Friday’s preliminary final