Adelaide Crow Mitch McGovern ‘shell shocked’ over Charlie Cameron, Jake Lever exits
MITCH McGovern was ‘shell shocked’ by the exit of close mates Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron but vows to use raw, grand final heartache to impose himself in 2018.
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MITCH McGovern was ‘shell shocked’ by the exit of close mates Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron but vows to use raw, grand final heartache to impose himself in a year of Adelaide premiership reckoning.
McGovern noted Adelaide’s stars maintain an internal code of honour and silence over player contracts as Rory Sloane’s monumental free agency decision again focuses national attention on West Lakes.
Clutch-mark specialist McGovern, key defender Lever and livewire Cameron never talked shop despite living in each other’s pockets.
“It was a hard one. I am so close to those guys as well. You are like brothers. It was a difficult one for me to comprehend, two very good mates leaving the club and for me the biggest character in the club, Charlie taking off,’ said McGovern, speaking for the first time since the acrimonious loss of Lever and Cameron to Melbourne and Brisbane respectively.
“The way all three of us kept things pretty close to your chest was more of a respect thing for each other and our decision we wanted to make.”
McGovern, Victorian Lever and Mt Isa born Cameron bonded over geographical separation from friends and family. Country kids turned men through the Phil Walsh tragedy and Adelaide’s drive to the 2017 grand final.
McGovern, 23, penned a three-year deal to remain with Adelaide on finals eve but the band wouldn’t be getting back together. It proved confronting.
“It is a hard one to start off with. It takes you a few weeks, when I came back this year it was a bit of shellshock, tough to get going again,” said McGovern told The Advertiser.
“You have to move on, realize what the big picture is and how other young kids can come and shine.”
Fremantle tabled McGovern a reported $3.75 million go home deal to the club he grew up supporting and dad Andrew represented in 63 games.
Going home would have been easy and profitable but there is an old world integrity to McGovern.
“I guess it is how I have been brought up through my parents,” said McGovern whose brother Jeremy stars for West Coast.
It is not only how I have faith in the club and playing group but myself and ability to keep going forward.
“My family is back in Perth and ties there so negotiations can be long or difficult.”
Adelaide and McGovern were in full flight when its high leaping forward strained a left-hamstring on the Saturday before its preliminary final win against Geelong at Adelaide Oval. McGovern conceded “anger” at his injury gave way to tears “for the first time” before comrades ran out for a demoralising grand final loss to Richmond.
The ‘Gov’ is determined to make up for lost opportunity on a personal and team front after booting 20 goals in 13 games last season.
“I couldn’t hold the emotions in watching that grand final. Now we can’t wait for the games to start and round 2 against Richmond.
The premiership window is open,” he said.
“In the future I will definitely love to step into that role of a dominant target. You can also be a driver for the young guys coming through.”
Originally published as Adelaide Crow Mitch McGovern ‘shell shocked’ over Charlie Cameron, Jake Lever exits
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