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Photo: Jeremy McGovern’s decision to re-sign at West Coast will put Eagles fans at ease. (AAP: Julian Smith)The speculation surrounding the future of West Coast Eagles star defender Jeremy McGovern has been resolved, with the 26-year-old re-signing with the club for five years.
McGovern was reportedly courted by a number of Victorian clubs and local rival Fremantle, with offers of up to $1.2 million per season for six seasons tabled to lure him away from the Eagles.
The exact size of the contract was not disclosed.
Losing McGovern would have been a massive blow for West Coast, who see the defender as a vital cog in their backline.
He has emerged as the AFL’s best intercept marker and has built a solid defensive partnership with captain Shannon Hurn and Tom Barrass, which has been crucial in the Eagles’ successful 2018 season.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson stated earlier this season the club was doing everything it could to keep the two-time All-Australian.
“We know he’s an A-grade talent, he’s a dual All-Australian, so we’re doing everything we can to try and keep him here,” Simpson said.
‘It was a gut decision’: McGovern
“It’s good news. I’m just stoked to be staying at the club,” McGovern told West Coast’s website.
“I love the people at the club, the direction the club is taking and it’s exciting to be a part of that.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity the club has given me and it was a gut decision to extend my contract. It would have been nice to have locked it away a bit earlier, but these things take time.
“I’m pleased it is done and now I can focus on the rest of the season. Hopefully my decision puts a few West Coast fans at ease.”
Photo: The Eagles say McGovern’s decision to stay gives them “great stability”. (AAP: Tony McDonough)McGovern, whose brother Mitch plays for Adelaide and whose father Andrew played for Fremantle, was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
That would have forced the Eagles to match any contract offers for the defender if they wanted to keep him.
If they did not, the club would have been compensated with draft picks by the AFL.
West Coast still has a decision to make on midfielder Andrew Gaff, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Gaff endured speculation he would be traded at the end of the last season, in which he played 24 games and averaged 29.7 disposals.
Ruckman Scott Lycett is another restricted free agent the club needs to secure. The South Australian has become even more important to the club with Nic Naitanui going down with another knee injury.
Deal brings ‘great stability’, Eagles say
Eagles general manager of football Craig Vozzo said McGovern’s signing was a great outcome for all involved.
“This is a terrific result for both the football club and Jeremy,” Vozzo told the Eagles’ website.
“He is a very important member of our squad, leadership group and an outstanding player.
“It is a very significant decision and gives us some great stability going forward. He’s a popular member of the team and one of the AFL’s premier defenders.
“We have also been really pleased with his continued growth as a leader.
“At 26 years of age, we believe Jeremy has a lot of football ahead of him and we look forward to contributing to his continued growth both on and off the field.”
Topics: australian-football-league, sport, perth-6000, wa
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