ADELAIDE forward Mitch McGovern says the footy world shouldn't be jumping to the conclusion older brother Jeremy will be leaving West Coast after the Eagle put off contract talks until the end of the season.
And Mitch endorsed his brother's decision after he did the same thing last year, focusing on his football before re-signing with the Crows.
Restricted free agent Jeremy will have interest from several Victorian clubs eager to snare the 26-year-old All Australian defender.
"Smart man, I did it last year," Mitch told AFL.com.au.
"Just put it on the backburner, focus on your footy, and he's playing some really good footy right now.
"Let people behind the scenes deal with it and you show what you're made of.
"It's a better way to do it.
"It shows it's not a distraction for him or the footy club because they (the Eagles) are flying as well.
"There's a lot of loyal players out there and anything can happen, so you shouldn't be jumping to conclusions at all."
Mitch, 23, was courted by Fremantle but the exciting forward put pen to paper on a three-year extension with the Crows until the end of 2020.
He cheekily said he would love to make it a McGovern double act at West Lakes.
"It would be very nice to play with him," Mitch said.
"I've been in his ear, but I'm not too sure what he's going to do."
Mitch booted a career-high five goals in the Crows' 55-point win against Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
He also flew high for several spectacular marks, including one that is certainly going to be talked about as a mark of the year contender.
"No, definitely not. I think (Collingwood's) Jeremy Howe's already sewn that up," McGovern said.
"I'm just lucky to get on the end of a few and actually take them this time.
"I was telling the boys just before, I was just trying to jump to get some body.
"I thought I was nowhere near the mark.
"Somehow it just stuck, and I'll claim it."
McGovern kicked 6.6 in the first six rounds of the season before finding his radar and finishing with 5.3 against the Blues.
"I've been pretty woeful with my kicking this year, so it was actually good to kick straight and take a few grabs," he said.
"Every week I've been working on my goal-kicking and working on my marking as well.
"It's reaping the benefits now and hopefully I can keep that going."
Crows coach Don Pyke was impressed with McGovern's performance.
"It was good for Mitch, he's been 'nearly' in terms of taking some catches, and tonight some of those stuck," Pyke said.
"I thought he jumped at the ball really strongly and finished his work well.
"Five (goals) is his best return in a game, which helps his confidence as he builds to being the player we re-signed last year on the basis we thought he could be a real pivotal forward."
