West Coast great Jeremy McGovern shares details of AFL’s retirement call: ‘Knew I was done’

West Coast champion and five-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern says he is happy the decision about his AFL career was taken out of his hands.

McGovern only managed six games this season, his last in Round 8 when he was subbed out after he was injured in a marking contest.

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The star West Coast defender then entered the concussion protocols and was later ordered to meet with the AFL concussion panel who ultimately told him his playing days were over.

McGovern said he immediately knew his glittering 197-game AFL career “was done” when the panel tapped him on the shoulder.

Speaking exclusively on Channel 7’s Unfiltered, McGovern said decision sucked but he knew it was the right call.

“I sort of knew I was done when the doctors said I have to go to the panel,” McGovern said on Unfiltered.

Jeremy McGovern has joined Hamish McLachlan for another brilliant episode of Unfiltered. Credit: Seven

“I was trying to tell myself that I was going to be OK to make it through, but I was kidding myself.

“You look at it holistically in the concussion space at the moment, my age, family, previous head knocks, injuries.

“I don’t know how long I was going to play for.

“I had another year on my contract, but you are weighing how much footy I have got left versus the risk.

“Is it worth the risk for long-term health? No.”

He admitted he had been cavalier in the past when doctors had approached him after a head knock.

“That’s why the AFL makes these decisions,” he said.

“I think the players are really starting to come around to it as well and you do need buy in from the players. A lot of times the decision comes down to whether I want to go back out there or not.

“I have been a shocker in the past when the docs want to pull you off and you sort of tell them to get stuffed.

“They are only out there to try and look after you and as a player you need to respect that sometimes. Sometimes it doesn’t because of the heat of the game and the circumstance of the game and everything else.

“The worst thing about it all is I still think it’s worth it. I’d still go out and play.

“I’d be looking at myself in the mirror and saying, ‘Are you putting your career and your love of this game ahead of your family?’ That’s what the game means to me.

“It doesn’t mean more to me than my family, but god it has a piece of my heart.

“It’s sad in a way and sucks but that’s the game.

“As much as I am sad to not be playing, I just accept it. That’s what can happen.

“Should I really be upset when I have had the feeling of winning a flag? Playing more games than I thought I would have.

“The only reason I am sad is because it is the game I love.”

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