Mitch McGovern | 2020 Season Review

Written by Joseph Addamo

Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad will be providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.

After a largely improved season, we will be reviewing every player that pulled on the famous Navy Blue guernsey in 2020.

This is the Blue Abroad Player Review for Carlton’s #11 – Mitch McGovern.

SEASON SYNOPSIS

Since crossing from Adelaide in a high-profile trade and on a lucrative contract with the Blues, Mitch McGovern has found himself with fitness and injury troubles that have plagued his ability to string together consistent performances. In 2020, the story, unfortunately, was not drastically different for ‘Gov’.

He missed a block of 5 straight games between rounds 9 and 14, playing just 12 for the season in total. After kicking 8 goals in his first 6 matches, ‘Gov’ managed just 1 in his final four games. Among key forwards, he ranked elite for inside 50s per game (2) and goal assists (0.7). He also ranked above average for tackles (1.8), pressure acts (8.9), kick efficiency (64.3%) and score launches (0.6). However, his below average shots at goal (1.3), marks inside 50 (0.8) and goals highlight his biggest deficiencies – the ability to impact the scoreboard as one of Carlton’s main forward targets.

In his second season, McGovern simply didn’t show enough to justify his contract and starting 22 credentials. He will need a big preseason and immediate 2021 impact in order to silence his critics in a potential year three with the Blues.

BEST PERFORMANCE

While the end of his season was dour and uninspiring, McGovern began 2020 in fine form, averaging 1.3 goals per game across his first 6 appearances. He had three games of multiple goals across these outings, with his best performance vs. the Western Bulldogs in Round 6.

It was a highlight of the season for Carlton, in a dominant four-quarter display where they were eventual 52-point winners. Acting as Carlton’s third tall is when McGovern has proved to be at his best historically, and was the case on this night also. McGovern contributed with 12 disposals, 2 goals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s and 2 goal assists.

Hopefully with Charlie Curnow’s return in 2021, creating a more dynamic attacking line-up, McGovern can produce these performances on a more consistent basis.

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

David Teague obviously believes in McGovern’s abilities as a footballer, placing so much stock time and again on his importance to Carlton’s structure. It has afforded ‘Gov’ every opportunity to prove his worth and compete week-in-week-out, regardless of his own form at times.

McGovern is out of contract at the end of 2020. While he is expected to re-sign, the uncertainty around his contract status has escalated media discussions around his immediate future with the club. Garry Lyon on SEN, after Carlton’s fairytale comeback win vs. Sydney, highlighted the lack of impact from McGovern, as well as the looming decision of the Blues in regards to their key forward stocks this off-season:

Mitch McGovern was a non-entity and he’s a concern – he didn’t touch the footy in the first half (vs. Sydney)… they’re going to have to make a decision on their forwards.

With the Blues’ trade activity already at full tilt, Carlton fans can expect to see one or two players exit the club this off-season. It would not come as a surprise if his name were officially mentioned in trade news in the coming weeks.

If he stayed on, where would you want to see McGovern play in 2021, Blue Abroad fans – in attack, or in defence?

2020 REPORT CARD RATING

D

STATUS HEADING INTO 2021

Unknown