Home

McGovern signs five-year deal with Eagles

Headshot of Cameron Newbold
Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser
West Coast Eagle defender Jeremy McGovern was a fan favourite after signing a five-year deal.
Camera IconWest Coast Eagle defender Jeremy McGovern was a fan favourite after signing a five-year deal. Credit: Sharon Smith

North Albany product and star West Coast Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern has turned his back on rival interest to sign a new five-year deal with the West Coast Eagles announced yesterday.

McGovern agreed to terms with the Eagles late last week and finalised the new contract on the weekend that will see him stay at the club until at least the end of 2023.

It is believed the deal is worth in excess of $1 million a year given the interest the dual All-Australian had attracted from rival clubs in the past couple of seasons.

Speaking yesterday McGovern said he felt staying loyal to the Eagles, with whom he has played 95 AFL games, was the right decision for him and his family.

“Its good news, I’m just stoked to be staying at the club,” McGovern said.

“I love the people at the club, the direction the club is taking and it’s exciting to be a part of that.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity the club has given me and it was a gut decision to extend my contract.

“It would have been nice to have locked it away a bit earlier but these things take time.

“I’m pleased it is done and now I can focus on the rest of the season.

“Hopefully my decision puts a few West Coast fans at ease.”

In a recent interview last month during the mid-season bye, McGovern told the Albany Advertiser the break surrounded by family in his home town and the birth of his son Hudson had helped him deal with the public pressure surrounding his future.

“It’s good to get a mental break from footy, spend time back home in God’s country in Albany and just enjoy being a normal person,” McGovern said at the time.

“Fishing, camping, seeing mates, even having a beer at my local footy club, it’s just nice to get away from it all.

“I’m not one to forget where I came from and getting back there and helping out in any way I can is important to me.”

That time spent relaxing at home in Albany proved instrumental to his final decision as the elite intercept defender now aims to try and help the Eagles win a premiership.

Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo was delighted to have McGovern re-sign.

“This is a terrific result for both the football club and Jeremy,” Vozzo said.

“He is a very important member of our squad and leadership group, and is an outstanding player. It is a very significant decision and gives us great stability going forward.

“He’s a popular member of the team and one of the AFL’s premier defenders. We have also been really pleased with his continued growth as a leader.

“At 26 years of age, we believe Jeremy has a lot of football ahead of him and we look forward to seeing and contributing to his continued growth both on and off the field.”

McGovern is again in All-Australian contention after another superb season, averaging more than 14 disposals and seven marks per game.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails