CARLTON SPOTS HAVE BECOME HARD-EARNED
LOGIC says Mitch McGovern makes his season debut for Carlton this week against Port Adelaide, but coach David Teague says there are no more givens at the Blues and selection in 2021 has to be hard-earned.
McGovern had an interrupted preseason dealing with the back and hamstring issues that have held him back for his entire Blues tenure but has now two VFL practice matches under his belt, kicking six goals.
A shoulder injury to Jack Silvagni has opened up a spot, but Teague said the new order at Carlton with “anyone” looking to play senior footy demanded more than a few good games at the lower level.
“He’s played two games in the VFL and played quite well. He needs to be in good form, and that’s anyone who wants to break into this team,” Teague said on Thursday.
“We still have some really good players who aren’t playing at the moment that are putting their hands up. To break into the team you need to have a body of work behind you. What’s changed is you have to put three, four, five weeks together, a block. You can’t have one good game and expect to get a game. It’s something we really value at the moment.
“Logically, yes (McGovern plays for Silvagni), but whether we go that way or not, we’ll decide.”
Only a goal after the siren from Port star Robbie Gray separated the teams last year, a season in which the Blues were competitive but only won seven games.
Teague said it was time to turn competitiveness against the top teams to wins.
“It’s just progression. We believe we can beat anyone,” he said. “We thought Round 1 we competed, Round 2 we were disappointed.
“It’s the challenge this group needs. And these are games we need to stand up in.
“That’s our growth, and that’s why we’ve got to get better: Right now, we’re in a position where we need to get better.”
Teague said dashing defender Adam Saad “played sore” in last week’s win over the Gold Coast but was good to go for Saturday night.
“He’ll be better this week than he was last week,” he said.