The prospect of playing for the same AFL club still lingers for Jeremy and Mitch McGovern, according to their management, as the duo face intriguing years where their respective contracts both expire at season’s end.
Mitch, 28, is about to enter the fifth and final season of his lucrative contract at Carlton – reportedly worth around $800,000 per season – which he signed after being traded from the Adelaide Crows after the 2018 season. But Mitch’s Carlton stint has been plagued by injuries, managing just 40 of a possible 83 games.
Meanwhile Eagles premiership defender and four-time All-Australian Jeremy looms as one of this year’s biggest free agents, with his five-year, $6m deal that he signed in 2018 set to come to an end. The West Coast star in the past three seasons, however, has played 37 of a possible 62 matches amid his own injury issues.
The West Australian reported in December the Eagles and Jeremy, 30, would likely hold off contract talks until the 2023 season was underway. The Blues this week told The Age they were comfortable with Mitch’s contract status.
Asked about the prospect of the McGovern brothers playing in the same team, manager Andrew McDougall of Corporate Sports Australia told The Age: “That could be quite interesting. We’ll wait and see.
“Mitch is out of contract. He has got a year to run. He is really enjoying it at Carlton and has settled in really well, but he is only 28, so it will be interesting to see how this year plays out.
“‘Vossy’ (Carlton coach Michael Voss) really likes him, he knows he is a great player, standing up in the back line.”
McDougall’s CSA colleague Colin Young added: “I am not saying it. Jeremy said it on a podcast – it would be ideal if they did (play together) one day – but sometimes Cinderella stories don’t work.”
McDougall said Mitch was “on track now to have a good run at it” after several injury issues.
Mitch didn’t play in Carlton’s match simulation against West Coast last week after copping a knee to the back at Blues training, but the Blues are confident he’ll be available for Round 1 selection.
Jeremy, who was restricted to just 10 games last season, played a half of the Eagles’ match sim against Port Adelaide.
