Season 2020 didn’t go quite according to plan for McGovern, who only mustered 12 appearances for the year. West Coast’s four-time all-Australian defender might have missed several games due to injury and suspension, but he still provided some magical moments when fit and available. He also took his leadership to another level in a trying year, captaining the club on four occasions in rounds six, seven, 16 and 17 in the absence of skipper Luke Shuey, who twice succumbed to hamstring injuries throughout the campaign. McGovern ranked second in the league for intercepts per game and 11^th for average marks per outing in 2020.

Standout performance: A Giant display

McGovern was a force to be reckoned with in his final home and away outing in Perth ahead of the club’s second Queensland hub stint. The 28-year-old ruled the skies against Greater Western Sydney in round 13, reeling in 10 marks – five of which were contested – and an equal season-high 11 intercepts at Optus Stadium. He also accumulated a season-best 18 disposals, rebounded the Sherrin out of West Coast’s defensive arc three times and pushed up the field to launch the ball inside 50 once. He capped off the performance by taking one of the marks of the years, a towering grab over Giants’ forward Harry Himmelberg in the second quarter.

Season averages:

Disposals: 13.1
Intercepts: 7.4
Marks: 6.0
Contested possessions: 5.7
One percenters: 5.5
Rebound 50s: 2.7
Tackles: 1.2

2020 AFL statistical rankings:

2^nd: Intercepts
11^th: Marks per game
12^th: Contested marks per game
18^th: One percenters per game