By Glen Quartermain

Copyright thewest

Retired West Coast champion Jeremy McGovern has conceded he would play his career the same way again, if given the chance, despite being forced into retirement and holding fears over his long-term health.

McGovern was told his playing days were over after 197 games for the Eagles, including the 2018 premiership, after fronting the AFL’s concussion panel earlier this year.

In a candid interview, McGovern revealed the emotional toll of walking away from the game he loves, saying “it has a piece of my heart”.

Don’t miss Jeremy McGovern on Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan, tonight at 9.30pm following The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus.

And while he said he would do it all over again with the benefit of hindsight, the 33-year-old accepted he must put the interests of his health and his family above extending his career.

“The worst thing about it all is I still think it’s worth it. I’d still go out and play,” McGovern told Seven’s Unfiltered.

“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?’

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

McGovern announced his 197-game AFL career was over in June, with the decision made for the key defender by the concussion panel.

The 2018 premiership player suffered a head knock in the Eagles’ round-eight fixture against Melbourne and was referred to the panel after failing to recover following the mandatory 12-day period.

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

“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.”

The five-time All-Australian and 2024 John Worsfold medallist said while he was glad to see players are now taking the impact of concussion seriously, he was glad the decision to end his career was taken out of his hands.

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.”

McGovern said he had wrapped his head around the abrupt ending to his career.

“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 said is because it is the game I love.”

Don’t miss Jeremy McGovern on Unfiltered with Hamish McLachlan, tonight at 9.30pm following The Front Bar on Seven and stream the full episode on 7plus.