HE WAS tried as a defender in his final days at Adelaide, but Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern has no doubt where he plays his best football.
"I don't want to curse myself, but I like playing forward," McGovern told Carlton's website.
"It'd be nice to play forward but having that flexibility's always great.
"Pretty much whatever they need on game day, I'm more than happy to play.
"The option to go forward or back can definitely help the footy team going forward, but I also think the marking ability I can threaten with in the air and on the lead (helps me play as a forward)."
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McGovern joined the Blues during the NAB AFL Trade Period from the Crows, in exchange for pick 13 at this year's draft and the rights to Sturt forward Shane McAdam.
The 24-year-old booted 67 goals in his 48 games in Adelaide, but was trialled in defence at the end of the season.
McGovern believes he can play effectively alongside young forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
Curnow, 21, has 59 goals in his 47 games, while 20-year-old McKay is off to a promising start with 24 goals in his 15 appearances.
"To join Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, it's extremely exciting," McGovern said.
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"I'm a bit worried about getting a kick with that forward line, with the tall timber up there.
"I know with Charlie and Harry down in the forward line, hopefully I can add another threat in the forward line and hopefully we can do some damage."
McGovern's move to the Blues was sealed on the third day of the trade period.
Less than two weeks earlier, he was at the MCG supporting older brother Jeremy, who played a key role in West Coast's premiership triumph.
"Jeremy winning a premiership does spur me on," McGovern said.
"It was a special moment for my family and Jeremy — to be there first-hand and see him win his first flag was amazing.
"I know we're not where we want to be, but with the list going forward we can be up there in the next couple of years."
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It was a busy trade period for the Blues.
Not only did they add McGovern, they signed Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo as a free agent, and acquired midfielder Will Setterfield and defender Nic Newman from Greater Western Sydney and Sydney respectively in trades.
Add to that the prospect of securing talented on-baller Sam Walsh with the No.1 overall pick in next month's draft, and there's reason for Blues supporters to be optimistic heading into 2019.
"We've got a lot of talent coming through, both talls and smalls – part of the decision I made was because of the list we have," McGovern said.
"The prospects going forward were a big decision behind coming here.
"I also can't wait to play in round one in front of 90,000 people at the MCG – it's something I"m really looking forward to.
"We're a big-four side in the heart of Melbourne."
