McGovern soars in Eagles’ victory against Demons

Star West Coast Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern played a key role in helping the West Coast Eagles qualify for their seventh grand final after belting Melbourne by 66 points at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

McGovern was supreme in the Eagles’ back half as he helped control things from the opening bounce and his side booted 10 goals to nil in the opening half.

The North Albany product sent a scare through the Eagles’ camp when he came from the ground in pain after appearing to cop a knee to his hip area midway through the first term.

The triple All-Australian, however, returned after some treatment to be among his side’s best players in the victory, collecting 17 disposals, four marks and three inside 50s.

McGovern helped repel the Demons on numerous occasions and finished with a game-high eight rebound 50s and was part of an outstanding defence that gave up just seven goals in the preliminary final.

Post-match, Eagles coach Adam Simpson said there was no major injury concern with McGovern.

“He got a knee to the hip pointer or maybe lower abdomen,” Simpson said in a press conference.

“He didn’t play last quarter but he’s probably the one guy we need to look after this week.”

For McGovern, it will be his second AFL grand final this Saturday after being part of the Eagles’ losing side back in 2015.

On a day when they lost to Hawthorn by 46 points, McGovern was the Eagles’ only multiple goal kicker with two majors to go with 10 touches.

Almost three years on, McGovern and his teammates will experience the excitement of another grand final week in the build-up to facing Collingwood at the MCG on the biggest day in September.