Mitch McGovern witnessed resilience in the backline during the second half of the Melbourne clash. Despite enduring over 60 inside 50s fired at Carlton’s defense, McGovern commended the back six for their response in the latter half, refusing to let the challenging first half impede their progress.
“Melbourne was quick to move the footy on us, and defending against over 60 inside 50s was tough, especially in the heat,” remarked McGovern. “I was particularly impressed by Brodie Kemp and ‘Youngy.’ Their resilience and mindset to bounce back from the first half and deliver a strong performance in the second half were crucial for their confidence and the team.”
With the pre-season now concluded, attention shifts to the Gabba for the Opening Round clash against Brisbane on Friday night. Following a rigorous pre-season with two demanding games, McGovern believes the Blues are primed to showcase their character and determination in the 2024 season.
“We’ve put in a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes,” he emphasized. “We’re confident in the work we’ve done internally with ‘Vossy’ and ‘Russ,’ and we have a strong squad. Despite a few players yet to return, our recent performances and the quality of opposition bode well for us.”
Regarding his own fitness, the 29-year-old expressed satisfaction with starting the year injury-free, enabling him to participate fully in pre-season training for the second consecutive year, enhancing his prospects for a successful season.
“I’ve been feeling pretty good, pushing through,” he noted. “Having completed a couple of injury-free pre-seasons, I feel confident and excited for the year ahead.”
