Adelaide list manager Justin Reid joined AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday morning and provided an update on where things were at with forward Mitch McGovern.
McGovern requested a trade after the completion of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, with his manager Colin Young confirming Carlton as his preferred destination last Wednesday.
Here’s what Reid had to say…
On how discussions have been progressing with the Blues…
We’ve had mature discussions with Carlton.
Obviously, they’ve got some other things that are playing out at the moment as well, so I think those conversations will ramp up a bit once the actual trade period starts next week.
On Stephen Silvagni’s quote of having to “pay overs” when a player is in contract…
I think that statement is pretty consistent with all clubs.
We work hard to develop players and get players to the club and we’re not in the business of just letting players walk out of the footy club.
But we’ve sat down with Mitch and his management, we’ve got a really mature approach about it.
I think you’ve seen that with a lot of clubs this year, so we’ll work through it.
Obviously, Mitch was at the best and fairest, he was training at our facility last week and if we can get something done that’s best for the club and the members then we’ll look at it but obviously he’s still a contracted player.
On whether he was disappointed Mitch wants out of his three-year contract…
I’ve got a really good relationship with Mitch.
Obviously, we’re really disappointed when players are looking to leave within 12 months, but he’s got his reasons and he’s expressed them and at the end of the day, I’ve been around long enough that nothing surprises me these days.
I think you have to have an open mind and, look, we really rate Mitch as a key position player who can play both ends and we think he’s only just starting to get where he needs to get to go.
His brother [Jeremy], I think at the age of 23 was really when he took off his career, so we line that up with each other and he (Mitch) has got a lot of upside in the next eight to 10 years.
On what he thinks it will take to get the deal done…
I think there’s a fair bit of play out there.
Obviously, there’s a lot going on around us at the moment and there’s a long way to go in trade period, so I think it’ll take a bit of time to play out.
TIGER TO CROW: SA boy Tyson Stengle hopes to join Adelaide