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Kane Cornes challenges West Coast’s top paid player Jeremy McGovern to drop weight to get back to his best

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Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
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Jeremy McGovern has been challenged to have a big pre-season ahead of 2022.
Camera IconJeremy McGovern has been challenged to have a big pre-season ahead of 2022. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

AFL commentator Kane Cornes has taken aim at West Coast’s million-dollar man Jeremy McGovern, challenging the star backman to drop some weight if he wants to get back to his best in 2022.

Speaking on Footy Classified on Monday night, Cornes said the Eagles’ marquee man needed to step up his game after a “really poor year”.

“You’re going to pay him nearly a million dollars a season; that body language is not good enough,” he said.

“He’s symbolic of West Coast’s problem this year — a lot of players on big contracts who are comfortable.

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“I’d be challenging him on his skinfolds and losing weight and getting fitter. His body has let him down once again.

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“Not in West Coast’s top 10 in their best and fairest isn’t good enough.

“He needs a massive, massive pre-season.”

Eagle Jeremy McGovern played just 15 games in 2021.
Camera IconEagle Jeremy McGovern played just 15 games in 2021. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

According to NewsCorp figures, McGovern is the second highest paid player in the AFL, earning an estimated $1.2-$1.25 million per season at the Eagles.

He sits behind only Swan Lance Franklin in the Herald Sun’s AFL Rich List — ahead of midfield stars Dustin Martin and Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe, given his six-year contract is back-ended.

McGovern played 15 games for the Eagles this season, averaging 16.4 disposals a game.

But the 29-year-old didn’t pick up a single Brownlow Medal vote in 2021 and failed to finished in the top 10 of West Coast’s John Worsfold Medal count.

Jeremy McGovern is on a big money deal at the Eagles.
Camera IconJeremy McGovern is on a big money deal at the Eagles. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

The award was won by Nic Naitanui, ahead of Dom Sheed, Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden, Jack Darling, Tim Kelly, Jamie Cripps, Tom Barrass, Tom Cole and Oscar Allen.

McGovern is a four-time All Australian and premiership player with the Eagles after being snapped up with pick 44 in the 2011 rookie draft.

He is contracted at West Coast until the end of 2024.

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