The support of Don Pyke and the entire playing group helped promising forward Mitch McGovern rebound from arguably the most difficult week of his young AFL career.
The 21-year-old was among several Crows who struggled in Adelaide’s loss to Geelong at Simonds Stadium a fortnight ago. McGovern had just two disposals and one mark for the entire match and failed to kick a goal for the first time since Round Seven.
But the high-flying Crow responded with his best performance of the season against Essendon the following round. McGovern kicked a career-high four goals and claimed a season-best eight marks, including three contested.
McGovern said he was encouraged to strip things back and play his natural game.
“The last few weeks haven’t been too great for myself, but Pykey, the coaching group and the playing group have stuck by me,” McGovern said.
“(Pyke’s) advice to me was to just play off instincts. He saw that I was leaning away from what I was playing in my first few rounds of the year. He just said to come back to what I was thinking at the start of the year and go from there.”
McGovern has been one of Adelaide’s great success stories this season. He impressed instantly in his AFL debut against North Melbourne in Round One, has kicked 25 goals, is equal-second at the Club for contested marks (23) and has also laid 50 tackles for the year.
McGovern is also one of only 10 Crows who have played every match this season.
It’s been a rapid rise for the dynamic forward, who was restricted to just 11 SANFL matches last year due to a lingering Achilles concern.
“It’s probably the most games I’ve played consistently that I can probably remember,” McGovern said.
“I didn’t think it would be like this at all. I’m very surprised with how I’ve gone, but the playing group have helped me along the way and the coaching staff have been fantastic for me.
“I didn’t think I’d be playing Round One to tell you the truth, after my last year (with) injuries and things that I had. To still be in the team until now is quite a surprise and I’m very grateful.
“It’s been very exciting.”
One of McGovern’s current housemates, Reilly O’Brien, has been just as impressive at SANFL level this season.
The competitive ruckman hasn’t missed a game all year averaging 14 disposals, 25 hit-outs and four marks a match. O’Brien has also kicked 10 goals, including five from his last three games.
O’Brien is the frontrunner to replace Sam Jacobs if the Crows’ lead ruckman is unable to overcome an ankle injury sustained in Sunday’s win over the Bombers.
“Young Reilly O’Brien is playing some really good footy in the SANFL,” McGovern said.
“If ‘Sauce’ doesn’t quite make it, we’re confident in ROB that he will get the job done for us.”
Brisbane will come into Saturday night’s clash with the Crows off the back of a 94-point loss to Port Adelaide at the Gabba – the Lions’ heaviest defeat of the season.
McGovern said the Crows couldn’t afford to underestimate any opponent.
“No matter how they’ve come off a game, they’ll always come out to win obviously,” he said.
“We’re expecting a good fight from them.“
