Carlton coach Michael Voss says Mitch McGovern is among a few names the new mentor has talked to about taking over Liam Jones’ role in defence.
Jones retired earlier in November after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, having been unable to play under the AFL’s new vaccination policy.
Meanwhile, McGovern has underwhelmed at Carlton since switching from the Crows at the end of 2018, a combination of injuries and form leaving him unable to create an impact at the Blues.
The club's first to fourth-year players returned for pre-season on Monday, with numerous senior players joining them.
Voss, who has only been in the role for two months, will have his hands full in trying to replace Jones in defence, but has several names in mind.
“Obviously, Lewis (Young) coming in is one of the names straight away,” Voss said.
“We are certainly happy to explore Mitch McGovern as one of the names going back. I have had those conversations with him already, and he has been super keen to maybe take on a challenge like that.
“Then there are the guys we maybe haven’t seen a lot of in recent times. Obviously, ‘Marchy’ (Caleb Marchbank) is just starting to get himself going so will see him up and going probably post-Christmas pretty well. There are a few names there to use … but we have to get them skilled up in those areas.
“As I said, we have got to see what the collective movement is for this group. It won’t be about what individuals do, so to speak.”
Voss was brought into the club with a defensive focus in mind after the Blues struggled in that department in 2021 under former coach David Teague.
Jones’ departure will be a blow to the system he had envisioned, the 30-year-old having formed a key partnership with fellow defender Jacob Weitering to be shining lights in an otherwise troubled defensive structure in recent seasons.
Former teammate Patrick Dangerfield also had his say on McGovern’s potential to go down back, believing he’s not a Jones replacement type of player.
“The jury’s out, he’s got to get fit first and actually get games under his belt,” Dangerfield told SEN Drive.
“He’s certainly a wonderful intercept marker, it depends if you want him there being your intercept player and more attacking, or is he there to be your Liam Jones replacement.
“I don’t think that’s his role, to be the Liam Jones defender replacement, because he defends and marks the ball well, but you’ve got to defend first.
“I see McGovern as that third-tall intercept type, almost like Jake Lever, even though Lever does play on talls at times.”
Senior Carlton players are due back to training on December 6.