West Coast champion Jeremy McGovern forced into sudden retirement due to ongoing concussion issues

The list of AFL players being forced into retirement is growing longer than anyone would like and a West Coast champion has now joined it.

West Coast Eagles star and five-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern says he’s “gutted” but respects the decision of the AFL’s concussion panel that ruled he should retire on medical grounds.

The decision for McGovern, 33, to step away and end his 197-game career was made after “extensive consultation” with his family, club leaders and medical staff.

But ultimately the recommendation from the AFL’s concussion panel was something the superstar defender couldn’t ignore.

McGovern has only played six games this season and none since round 9 when he suffered concussion after an incident against Melbourne.

“It’s been an absolute honour to pull on the West Coast jumper for the past 15 years and it’s something that I will forever be grateful for,” McGovern said.

“As much as this isn’t the way I would have liked to go out, I respect the decision.

Jeremy McGovern is checked by the club doctor in what turned out to be his final game. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“I’m gutted I don’t get to pull the jumper on and run out one more time, but sometimes this is the way the game goes, and I am forever grateful to the West Coast supporters who have also shown me love and respect.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with my career over the journey.

“My family – Mum and Dad, my brother Mitch, my wife Madi and my three kids Hudson, Marlee and Lewie – have been my biggest supporters as well as my friends who have been amazing through my whole time in the AFL.

“To the club, I can’t explain how much you have given me over my time here and I can’t thank you enough for drafting a fat kid from Albany and giving him a crack.

“I’ve always loved the game and winning a premiership is every kid’s dream, but the lifelong friendships and relationships you build through footy mean more to me than anything.

“I will forever be indebted to West Coast and I will always bleed blue and gold.”

The McGovern decision comes as Essendon youngster Nik Cox awaits his own findings from the concussion panel that in recent times has sent Collingwood premiership winner Nathan Murphy and Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw into early retirement.

McGovern always put his body on the line. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

McGovern earnt the first of his five All-Australian blazers in 2015 and famously played in the 2018 grand final win against Collingwood despite having series internal injuries.

He helped the Eagles win the game when he intercepted an Adam Treloar kick inside 50 that started the chain of possession that ended in Dom Sheed’s matchwinning goal.

West Coast football boss Gavin Bell said McGovern was “exactly the type of player” teammates loved to play with.

“Even to overcome the injury setbacks he has battled in recent years to bounce back and become our club champion for the first time last year showed his commitment to getting the best out of himself,” he said.

“‘Gov’ was exactly the type of player you would love to play with because he was tough and courageous, wanted to win, but also off the field he cared about his mates and looked after others.”

Originally published as West Coast champion Jeremy McGovern forced into sudden retirement due to ongoing concussion issues