Premiership defender Jeremy McGovern celebrates Eagles life membership and 150th game with win over Saints

West Coast premiership player and Albany-raised defender Jeremy McGovern celebrated his 150th game in style as his side hung on for a thrilling eight-point win over St Kilda at Optus Stadium on Saturday. McGovern captained the Eagles in his milestone game in the absence of skipper Luke Shuey and also spent periods in the ruck, a role he has rarely played in his 150 games for the club. The Eagles held off a fast-finishing Saints outfit to remain inside the top eight and McGovern led his team off the field before being showered in sports drink in the middle of the Eagles’ song post-game. A group of friends were watching from a corporate box and close mate Luke Cameron was seen holding up a sign reading, “All you need is Gov! life’s better with the Mcmuffin”, a pun on his surname. McGovern’s partner Madi and children Hudson and Marlee were at the game along with his parents Michelle and Andrew. The 29-year-old finished with 10 disposals, three marks, nine hit-outs, two clearances and three intercepts in the victory. “It was good to hold on,” McGovern told 6PR radio post-game. “I don’t mind it, I love the ruck, I blew up there for a little bit but it was a bit of fun. “We’re probably not at top-four standard where we want to get to, but we are slowly building.” The North Albany junior said it was great to have family and friends in the stands for support. His fan base included best friend and business partner Darcy Reader among former teammates Chris Masten, Patrick McGinnity and Will Schofield. “It was a couple of my mates I think, I couldn’t read it,” he said of the sign. “A few of them were carrying on up there at my expense but as long as the boys had a good day that’s the main thing. The boys were saying they were having an early start and a having couple of beers at my expense so it was good. “We’ll probably have a couple of beers and enjoy it together because it’s sort of what footy is about a little bit.” McGovern was drafted by the Eagles in 2011 and made his AFL debut in 2014, going on to earn All-Australian honours four times and playing a huge hand in his club winning the 2018 grand final.