AFL: Carlton coach Michael Voss confirms defender Mitch McGovern will return against the GWS Giants

A potential difference-maker is a confirmed starter for Carlton as it seeks to return to the winner’s list against the Giants.

Carlton defender Mitch McGovern, pictured left with Sam Docherty, will return against GWS after hamstring surgery. Picture: Getty Images

Carlton will unleash defensive weapon Mitch McGovern at full tilt in his return game against the Giants on Sunday after his successful VFL comeback last week.

McGovern was thriving in a new intercepting role down back before another hamstring setback that required surgery, but is back to boost a Blues defence that has been understrength for most of the season.

His return helps somewhat offset midfielder George Hewett (back soreness) being unavailable.

Michael Voss’ team is as good as certain to end its finals drought this year – being two games clear of the ninth-placed Bulldogs with five rounds to go – but is fresh from a five-goal defeat from pacesetter Geelong.

“It is good (to regain McGovern). It’s been a long time and we’ve missed him,” Voss said.

“He was obviously a pretty important member to our team early this season and it was a bit unfortunate that he had that setback.

Carlton head coach Michael Voss is pleased to regain Mitch McGovern. Picture: Getty Images

“But to get him back, from a personnel point of view – we’ve obviously lost a few along the way – is a real bonus for us at this time of the year.”

Voss also dismissed any idea Carlton might have of easing the former Crow back into AFL action, saying that was the purpose of his VFL tune-up.

“He got through so well and he’s had a great block of training now. We’ve been able to get a quality five or six weeks under his belt and he’s got plenty of load,” he said.

“So I guess the last box he needed to tick was to play in the VFL and he was always probably going to come straight back into the side when he was available.

“It’s one thing to integrate people back into your team, but when they’ve been missing for a long time, those relationships and that connection that they have, and they build with their other defenders, is really important.

“So this gives us the opportunity to be able to do that. We’ve obviously got some pretty important games (coming up), so it’s timely that he returns.”

George Hewett is out of Carlton’s side with back soreness. Picture: Getty Images

The Cats loss was a sharp reminder that the Blues still have work to do if they are to not only qualify for September but have an impact at that time of the year.

They will face Adelaide after the Giants before three-straight matches against likely finalists Brisbane, Melbourne and Collingwood leading into the finals.

“I think when you play against a mature football team, like what (Geelong) are; they ask questions of every part of your system,” Voss said.

“I’d like to be able to sit here and say there was one particular thing that we take away, but the reality is that they demand your system to be right on for four quarters.

“I couldn’t count how many times we’ve actually sat in the review and looked at us and what we need to do to get better and that’s where we feel like we’re continually evolving.

“The full version of us is going to happen over a long period of time, not just this year. We still feel like we’ve got so much growth within us.”

Originally published as AFL: Carlton coach Michael Voss confirms defender Mitch McGovern will return against the GWS Giants