Mitch McGovern is disappointed to be overlooked for AFL selection but Carlton coach Michael Voss wants the veteran defender to remain with the Blues next season.

After playing 17 games this year, McGovern has been unable to force his way back into Carlton’s best 23 following his latest hamstring injury.

McGovern performed strongly in the VFL last weekend, but Carlton’s only inclusion for Saturday’s clash with Port Adelaide was star midfielder Sam Walsh.

The 30-year-old McGovern comes out of contract at season’s end and is no guarantee to sign a fresh deal amid significant change at Carlton following a horror 2025.

When asked if he wanted the former Adelaide player to stay at Carlton next year, Voss replied: “Absolutely”.

“While he’s probably more on the back end of his career, rather than the front end, he’s shown over the last couple of years that, some of the concerns he had around his body, there’s less of those,” said the coach.

“There’s nothing wrong with earning your right on the way back in.

“Being one of the older players and seeing some of the younger players playing well ... the only conversations I’ve had is that he’s been excited by what he’s seen, but he’s also desperate to play.

“By not playing, clearly he’s disappointed in not being able to do that.”

Third-generation Blue Jack Silvagni is another defensive pillar out of contract, weighing up options from Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs and Essendon.

Silvagni has met with all three of those clubs after already being ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.

Voss joked Silvagni had “been busy” but insisted he was still “really confident” the son of the legendary Stephen Silvagni would continue at Ikon Park.

“We’re at the end of the season, and they haven’t signed yet,” Voss said.

“If you’re lacking any confidence, it’s probably around that, but in terms of needs and want to have them, we’d love for them to stay.

“But we’re also realistic in where we sit in the season.”

Vice-captain Walsh will return for his first match since round 13 after recovering from a foot injury.

Voss said Walsh had been “scratching at my door” to play, even though the Blues have just two games left this year and have long been out of finals contention.

“It’s just a great sign when you’ve got one of your leaders that wants to see it through and wants to get out there and be a part of it,” Voss said.

“It hasn’t necessarily turned to the results we’re after, but we’ve been energised by some of the things we’re seeing on the ground, seeing some of the younger players and what they’ve been able to do.”

Walsh has endured several interrupted pre-seasons in recent times, with serious back issues often troubling him.

The 25-year-old will be on managed minutes against the Power, but Carlton are hoping two games can help propel him into 2026.