Crows will play hardball with Blues on Gov

[Hogg]

ADELAIDE is preparing to play hardball with Carlton over a move for Mitch McGovern.

The contracted forward has nominated the Blues as his club of choice ahead of this month's NAB AFL Trade Period, having requested a move away from the Crows in September.

However, tied down at West Lakes until the end of 2020 after signing a three-year contract extension midway through last season, Adelaide list manager Justin Reid says the club will not let McGovern leave unless Carlton pays what it believes is due compensation.

Adelaide and Carlton have history during the exchange period, with the Blues holding Bryce Gibbs to his contract in 2016 – despite the midfielder requesting a trade to South Australia.

Prior to Gibbs ultimately moving to the Crows last year, Blues list boss Stephen Silvagni had said: "When a player is in contract for two years, you have to pay overs. They're difficult to get out of clubs and they're important to the clubs they belong to."

However, Reid does not believe that comment will come back to haunt Silvagni this year.

"I think that statement is pretty consistent with all clubs," Reid told NAB AFL Trade Radio.

"We work hard to develop players and to get players to the club. We're not in the business of just letting players walk out of the footy club.

"We've sat down with Mitch and his management and we've got a really mature approach about it. I think you've seen that with a lot of clubs this year.