'Sad way to go': AFL world gutted over news about West Coast premiership hero
The 33-year-old McGovern was shoved into the back of Harrison Petty by Demons player Jake Melksham, and the incident left both McGovern and Petty concussed. Melksham was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
McGovern was initially placed in the mandatory 12-day stand-down period under the AFL's concussion protocols. But he hasn't made significant progress in the three weeks since the incident.
"Jeremy's health and wellbeing is our number one priority, and he has not currently advanced through the concussion protocols due to ongoing symptoms," West Coast football's boss Gavin Bell said in a statement. "Jeremy has suffered multiple concussions over his career, which adds complexity to his situation and his recovery.
"Our club doctors, in conjunction with the AFL chief medical officer, have recommended referral to the AFL concussion panel to help inform a safe way forward in the interest of his current and future welfare. We are awaiting a date for the panel to convene and assess Jeremy, and there are a range of outcomes that could result from their report. The club requests Jeremy's privacy is respected at this time while this confidential process unfolds."
The AFL's concussion panel can recommend personalised rehabilitation plans and an extension of the return-to-play timeframe. However it also has the power to recommend retirement on medical grounds.
McGovern was regarded as one of the best defenders in the AFL in his prime, and helped West Coast win the flag in 2018. The 33-year-old has been restricted to just 34 games since the start of the 2023 season.
Discussing the sad situation on 'Footy Classified' on Tuesday night, Essendon great James Hird described McGovern as an "incredible player in the competition." Bombers coach Brad Scott labelled him "one of the most influential players through West Coast's premiership era". Scott added: "It's a tragic story if that's true."
On SEN radio, Gerard Healy declared the situation was a result of "pathetic umpiring of the push in the back". The issue of players being pushed into contests has become a hot talking point in 2025, and Healy doesn't think enough has been done to stamp it out.
RELATED:
James Hird's family revelation amid awkward moment on live TV
'Positive' new details emerge amid Cyril Rioli and Hawthorn situation
The news about McGovern comes after former West Coast teammate Luke Edwards stepped away from the game last October to focus on his recovery from multiple concussions. The 22-year-old Edwards had suffered three concussions, the last coming in Round 20 of 2024.
Edwards joined Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw and Western Bulldogs draftee Aiden O'Driscoll as players who had their careers cut short because of concussion in 2024 alone. Former Eagles players Brad Sheppard and Daniel Venables both retired in 2021 because of concussion issues.
Would be a sad way to go, without a farewell game at the least
— Shay (@Shay_mie95) May 20, 2025
Let's just have him focused on his recovery rather than if he plays again. There's more to life than footy.
— Perri (@PerriW2345) May 13, 2025
This doesn't sound good. 😞
— chinthanawijewardana (@chinthana1985) May 19, 2025
No, please.. not another one 😔
— bamberee/Bree (@bamberee) May 19, 2025
Yeah I'm a dees supporter and I agree, melky pushed him in the back and they just keep letting blokes get away with it. It's ridiculous.
— Drain The Billabong 🌸 (@Carmo01826226) May 20, 2025
with AAP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Saints sound the horns for new cult hero
St Kilda legends Trevor Barker and Nick Riewoldt regularly left fans' mouths gaping with their aerial feats. Supporters flocked to Moorabbin and Docklands to watch them play. But the athletic and courageous icons never had crowds donning viking helmets in their honour or blowing vuvuzela horns every time they flew for a grab. That privilege will instead go to the Saints' latest blonde bombshell - Alix Tauru - as his cult status grows. Of Swedish heritage, Tauru has already been dubbed the "Flying Viking" for his aerial presence and matched a St Kilda record with 14 spoils in the defeat to Fremantle last week. good at it — St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) June 29, 2025 The 18-year-old defender has offered Saints supporters a glimmer of hope for a bright future as Ross Lyon's men attempt to breathe life back into their season against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. A group of fans plan to sell viking helmets at the game and sound plastic horns in support of their new hero, while major sponsor RSEA Safety will deck out the cheer squad in viking-themed hard hats. "It's a low bar in AFL footy, isn't it? Fourteen spoils? It used to be 14 goals," Lyon quipped when asked about third-gamer Tauru's status as a fan favourite. "We're excited by Alix. The best thing is he's very level, he understands he's only as good as his next moment at training and in games. "At the end of the day, you come up against another fierce and formidable opponent, and he'll know he's alive. "The challenges keep coming, but it is exciting." St Kilda (5-10) have hit the skids after a positive start to the season, with a horror 2-9 record over the last three months ending their finals hopes early. They will start underdogs against Sam Mitchell's Hawthorn (10-5), who are looking to extend a three-match winning streak and continue their push for a top-two spot. "We're a club that needs to get better. We're off the pack, but we're fighting hard," Lyon said. "We've got a strategy over a period of time that we're pursuing, but in the near time we want to win lots of games of AFL footy. "(We played) three quarters against Collingwood, three quarters against Fremantle, albeit spirited and some good signs. "We're looking to chase four quarters down, so that would be the aim this week." Hawthorn have named key pair James Sicily and James Worpel to return from injuries, offsetting the loss of Josh Weddle and Sam Butler. Former Hawks wingman Brad Hill returns for the Saints alongside Angus Hastie, with Jack Carroll and Tobie Travaglia omitted. Ex-Richmond teammates Dan Butler and Mabior Chol will reach significant milestones on opposing sides. St Kilda forward Butler will play his 150th AFL match, while Hawks tall Chol will line up in his 100th, nine years after his debut.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bulldogs crash Kangaroos' party as Liberatore stars
The Western Bulldogs have spoiled North Melbourne's centenary party, instead marking Tom Liberatore's 250th AFL game with a 49-point win. Liberatore was best afield as the Bulldogs withstood an early challenge from the Kangaroos and then broke clear in the second half on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium, winning 20.14 (134) to 13.7 (85). North looked inspired by an old-fashioned rev-up on the ground from coaching great Denis Pagan, but ultimately the Bulldogs had too much class. All ears to Denis 🗣️#AFLNorthDogs — AFL (@AFL) July 3, 2025 Aaron Naughton helped spark the Bulldogs in the second term and finished with five goals while fellow key forward Sam Darcy, goalless in the first half, kicked four. Liberatore had 27 possessions, 10 tackles and kicked two goals. The Bulldogs improved to fourth place and continued their perfect record against bottom-nine teams, but they face two massive tests against Adelaide and Brisbane. They only have one game so far this season against teams currently in the top eight. As part of their pre-game ceremony to mark the club's AFL centenary year, Pagan addressed the team on the field minutes before the first bounce. He did not disappoint with his vintage speech, saying several players had something to answer for after last week's 85-point belting from Hawthorn. North had made five changes for this match, losing several experienced players to injury, and suffered another blow in the first quarter when star Luke Davies-Uniacke was subbed out because of concussion. Davies-Uniacke went to tackle Ed Richards, but was caught high with the fend off. The incident is likely to come under match review, but the contact looked accidental. Luke Davies-Uniacke has been subbed out of the game following this incident.#AFLNorthDogs — AFL (@AFL) July 3, 2025 Despite losing Davies-Uniacke, North were impressive early and key forward Nick Larkey kicked four goals in the opening quarter. Larkey also had to leave the ground in the first term, but returned to kick his fifth before halftime. After trailling by a goal at quarter time, the Bulldogs steadied in the second and it was Naughton's turn to go on a goalkicking spree. The Bulldogs key forward kicked four in the second term as they took a 13-point lead into the main break. Richards had to come off with a shoulder injury at the start of the third term, but was able to return. The Bulldogs went on a four-goal tear late in the third and broke the game out to a game-high 29 points, before North rallied to keep the margin a gettable 22 points at the last change. In-form North ruckman Tristan Xerri was forced off in the last quarter with a head knock.
Fox News
16 hours ago
- Fox News
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders franchise was founded on January 30, 1960, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders were a charter member of the AFL (American Football League) and moved the NFL in the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. The Raiders departed Oakland and became the Los Angeles Raiders from 1982-1994. However, prior to the 1995 season the Raiders returned to Oakland, where they would remain until 2020. The NFL approved the Raiders application to relocate to Las Vegas in 2017, and the team officially made it's move to the Sin City in 2020. The Raiders have won three Super Bowls in their franchise's history. They won their first one in 1976 (Super Bowl XI) under legendary head coach John Madden. Madden was not at the helm for their next Super Bowl victories, which came in 1980 (Super Bowl XV) and 1983 (Super Bowl XVIII). The Raiders are in the AFC West division with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers.
