AFL 2023: Mitch McGovern repaying Carlton’s faith in new defensive role

Mitch McGovern had a rocky start to his Carlton career, but a positional change and a different mindset down back has made him one of Carlton’s most reliable players.

Jacob Weitering and Mitch McGovern at Carlton training.

For a player who has lived his career in the middle of a media firestorm, Mitch McGovern has done his job in recent weeks by keeping the lowest of profiles.

McGovern’s injury-prone nature and vast $800,000-a-season contract meant even the most patient of Carlton supporters had him in the “much-maligned” category.

Even those who had not lost faith in McGovern would never have guessed he would thrive in his recent role.

The flashy intercept marking and high-risk kicks through the corridor have been replaced by dour lockdown defence on the most dangerous of foes.

Even his late dash forward against Melbourne was only caused by him following his opponent Bayley Fritsch into defence to prevent the Demons from having a loose man behind the ball.

As Carlton defensive coach Aaron Hamill said at Ikon Park on Monday: “He’s had a significant journey. And a maligned one, I guess, externally. But internally, we knew that if we were able to get him right what he was able to offer, and that’s just what he’s done.”

Maligned might be an understatement – McGovern might have been the AFL’s No. 1 whipping boy even though three other clubs were prepared to offer him a similar contract five seasons ago.

Finally he has repaid Michael Voss’s unwavering faith with a seven-week purple patch in which only Toby Greene has seen him lower his colours.

He kept Fritsch to one goal in 66 minutes head-to-head, kept Isaac Heeney goalless in the elimination final and didn’t give up a score to Jamie Elliott (round 20), Jeremy Finlayson (round 18), Jye Amiss (round 17) and Jack Lukosius (round 14).

Mitch McGovern stands tall in from of Sydney’s Justin McInerney in the elimination final. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Not bad for a recast forward only thrown into defence last pre-season, one who has peeled off 21 games after only 12 in the previous two seasons.

“He’s been really strong,” Hamill said.

“We just know what we’re getting with Gov. He’s quite an intelligent footballer and we feel he gives us a real point of difference. We know his intercept game and what he does with ball in hand. We needed some more punch out of there and Gov has given us that. We have seen him play on the Jamie Elliotts. The Heeney (match-up) was against a quality player.

“But he can easily roll over onto a (Linc) McCarthy or a (Zac) Bailey, so we like the flexibility Gov gives us.”

McGovern might have been long odds to stay at Carlton at the start of the season, but he was always keen to remain at the club which put its faith in him.

McGovern has settled well in Melbourne with partner Kirsten and bought a house in Ascot Vale 12 months ago.

The pair will marry next month, having welcomed second child Hamish in March to a clan that includes daughter Margot.

He has a strong connection with Carlton’s West Australian crew including Blake Acres, Zac Fisher and Patrick Cripps.

Mitch McGovern is repaying the Blues’ faith. Picture: Michael Klein

He was never keen to move to a third club – after three seasons at Adelaide to start his career – so the August two-year extension was a clear relief.

The introduction of Voss as a strong backer has been crucial in the same way Craig McRae’s fresh voice has got the best out of so many Collingwood players.

Finally McGovern’s body has behaved itself too, due to a tailored program with the strength and fitness team that has seen him limit his issues to a three-week hamstring absence from rounds 21-23.

Only a month shy of his 29th birthday, McGovern can finally bask in some consistent success and recognition of his achievements.

“He’s certainly a pro and how he goes about things now,” Hamill said.

“And he’s got a good understanding of what it takes and the consistent approach to the day by day to get himself to the line. And he’s certainly done that.”