When he sits back to reflect on an epic career, Jeremy McGovern will be at peace with retirement but sad that he will no longer be able to pull on the blue and gold guernsey and cross the white line next to his mates.

McGovern announced his retirement on medical grounds on Friday and admitted that “deep down” he knew his career was over before fronting the AFL Concussion Panel last week.

It was a flattening end to a remarkable journey for the kid from Albany, but McGovern had the perspective to appreciate how much he has achieved across 197 games and that not every footballer’s career ends on their terms.

“I’m at peace with it, it’s OK, because I respect the game,” McGovern said.

“The game demands a lot from players and, in this instance, it is unlucky for me but at the same time there’s a beauty to it that it can be taken away at any time.

“I hope everyone cherishes it and understands what are our players go through every time they run out on that footy field. It’s sad not getting the fairytale, but I’m at peace with it.

“It’s the right decision.”

McGovern’s achievements rank among the all-time great Eagles and his standing at West Coast is only enhanced by his deep love and commitment to his teammates and the club - and how far back he came from.

The raw but talented teen drafted with pick 44 in the 2010 rookie ballot had to learn the hard way before becoming a champion.

Adapting to the professionalism of the AFL took time, but McGovern always had the skill and just needed some pointing in the right direction.

Speaking in front of a packed room including teammates and staff past and present, including ex-coach Adam Simpson, McGovern was at pains to thank all those who had helped him on his journey to the top of his craft.

“(You remember) all the struggles that we go through,” he said.

“I’ll never forget the two-kilometre time trial, that’s for sure, but all the playing with teammates and great people, being coached by great people and being involved with great people is what I’ll cherish for sure.

“Then just the game, the fun of it. Once you cross the line on that footy field that’s what we’re all here for as players. We’ll forever love that.

“It’s going to be hard not being able to do that any more, which is probably the sad piece for me.”

Never one to seek individual accolades, McGovern made a habit of accumulating them throughout his career, highlighted by a remarkable five All-Australian blazers and the 2024 John Worsfold Medal.

Only fellow Eagles greats Ben Cousins and Dean Cox (six) have been picked more in the AFL's team of the year.

Remarkably, McGovern was named either in the All-Australian squad (2015) or team (2016-19 and 2024) in every season when he played more than 15 games. 

But he was the ultimate team man, and the 2018 premiership medallion will always be the achievement that outshines any other.

“Definitely the premiership is the highlight. That whole year was a highlight,” he said.

“The club went through a fair bit changing facilities, leaving Subi, winning a flag so it was a big year. That was amazing.

“I was so grateful to be a part of it.”

McGovern only managed six matches this season under new coach Andrew McQualter, and while he has been sidelined since round nine the veteran has been excited by the youth coming through the club.

He believes the future is in good hands.

“I think things are starting to turn. This year probably wasn’t the start that we wanted and it was probably a little bit expected with ‘Mini’ coming in, a new gameplan, a new system,” McGovern said.

“It was a lot of change and it took us a little while to steady. The last five weeks, apart from the game on the weekend, we were starting to make massive inroads, not in the win-loss tally but the way we wanted to play and statistically in some certain areas.

“We’re still a little while off, that’s for sure, but for me I’m very positive of the direction we’re going.”

What the future holds for McGovern will reveal itself in time but spending more time with his young family will be high on the agenda.  

His father Andrew, mother Michelle, wife Madi and three children Hudson, Marlee and Lewie were all in attendance on Friday as their son, husband and father joined a line of champions to recently depart the club.

“That’s probably what I’d like to be remembered for,” McGovern said. “As someone that they’re proud of.”