Albany star and Eagles vice-captain Jeremy McGovern among big senior group to train on day one of preseason

West Coast Eagles vice-captain and Albany-raised star Jeremy McGovern made an early return to training on Monday, joining the club’s young stars on the track at Mineral Resources Park.

McGovern, who hails from North Albany, was part of a big contingent of senior players who came back to training a fortnight ahead of schedule.

The club’s first to fourth-year players returned on Monday but a 14-strong senior group were there to push them along.

McGovern along with key players Oscar Allen, Tom Barrass, Jake Waterman, Dom Sheed, Liam Duggan, Jamie Cripps, Jack Petruccelle, Alex Witherden, Tom Cole, Bailey Williams, Jamaine Jones, Josh Rotham and Elliot Yeo all joined their younger teammates for the session.

The senior group did some movement drills while the youngsters were put through a brutal endurance test.

McGovern is a four-time All-Australian, premiership player and runner-up in the John Worsfold Medal in 2017.

He has played 172 games in a decorated career with the Eagles but the intercept star has struggled with injury and consistency in the past two years.

McGovern managed only nine games in 2023 and 10 the season before that, with the Eagles finishing 17th on both occasions.