New Carlton forward Mitch McGovern has revealed he was “very close” to ending up back in Western Australia before deciding to join the Blues.
McGovern wanted out of Adelaide despite re-signing with the Crows on a three-year deal at the end of 2017.
He ended up requesting a trade to Carlton, but it was nearly a different story.
“(I was) very close (to signing with a WA team),” McGovern said.
“Obviously (Jeremy McGovern) is back there, it was a dream of us to play on the same team at the highest level so we got pretty close on that side, but I ended up here (at Carlton) and I think I made the right decision.
“Both (Fremantle and West Coast) were interested, I couldn’t say if I was closer to one or the other.”
McGovern said his split with Adelaide still felt raw and he isn’t particularly ready to talk about the specifics of the situation.
The 24-year-old said before the trade period he was unhappy with the direction Adelaide was heading in and he elaborated on that point.
“Obviously I don’t want to say what’s going on behind the scenes at Adelaide and obviously the direction wasn’t the talent or the footy ability of the group,” McGovern said.
“For me, it was more outside of those four walls and that’s something, it’s personal to me, and at this stage I’m not willing to speak about that.”
Some have touted that Carlton should use McGovern as a defender, but he says his preference is to stay in attack.
“In the forward line is where I’m more comfortable. Whether that is centre half forward or full forward or even playing as a small forward, it doesn’t really phase me too much,” he said.
“I’m more than comfortable to find myself higher up the ground and watch Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay go to work.
“Whatever position Bolton and the boys need me to play I’m happy to do it.
“I did play last round against Carlton down back, but chasing tail probably isn’t the best thing.”