OFFICE work can be mundane, but it's a welcome change of pace for NAB AFL Draft prospect Mitch McGovern.
The 19-year-old West Australian works as a credit officer in Welshpool, an industrial area in Perth.
After starting out as an office junior, McGovern's boss Frank Vredenbregt saw great potential in the well-mannered youngster and decided to promote him.
"Mitch had that initiative and keenness and you've got to be prepared to give them a go. Actually he starred," Vredenbregt told AFL.com.au.
McGovern works in the accounts side of the business and his primary role involves chasing people for their unpaid bills.
He finds himself in a delicate position - customer relations are paramount.
When he wasn't sitting behind his desk working the phones, McGovern was running around for Claremont in the WAFL in 2014.
The high-flying forward put together an impressive year, kicking 10 goals in 11 games for the Tigers.
That followed a difficult 2013 campaign, which was all but wiped away by a hot spot in his foot.
Despite showing some real potential, he also missed out on being drafted in 2012 because he wasn't considered ready to break into the AFL system.
At 191cm, McGovern is quick off the mark, and when he elevates to grab the ball at its highest point he is difficult to stop.
The younger brother of emerging West Coast forward Jeremy McGovern, Mitch enjoys the responsibilities of his profession but football is his preferred career path.
"I've dreamed about playing AFL footy for a living, not sitting in an office calling people up about their bills," McGovern says.
"It gives you that extra motivation to go harder at footy because you don't want to be sitting behind a desk all day."
Motivation also comes from watching his brother make significant inroads at the Eagles this season.
“There’s that level of competitiveness between Jeremy and I," Mitch says.
"I've always wanted to beat him in everything we do, so to see him do well makes me want to go even harder."
McGovern speaks fondly of the backyard basketball encounters and their fiery nature when playing FIFA or Mortal Combat on the Playstation.
Having watched Jeremy lift his professionalism and training standards ahead of the 2014 season, Mitch has been inspired by his brother's dedication.
"Seeing the success that Jez has had – it's really fired me up," Mitch says.
Mitch can see himself playing alongside Jeremy in the Eagles' forward line. He has had meetings with both West Coast and Fremantle, so staying in Perth is certainly on the cards.
But he also met with North Melbourne, Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong and Adelaide at last week's NAB AFL Draft Combine.
Mitch says he has the advantage of using Jeremy's career as a marker. But he is also conscious of trying to forge his own path.
"Jez has pretty much laid the stepping stones for me," Mitch says.
"It's great that he's led me this far but I do want to make my own name."
