Concussions could force Eagles star McGovern to retire

West Coast veteran Jeremy McGovern could be forced into retirement because of concussion issues amid a slow recovery from his latest head knock.

The Eagles on Tuesday confirmed club doctors have referred the 2018 premiership defender to the AFL concussion panel after he suffered a head knock in their round-eight fixture against Melbourne.

The 33-year-old was shoved by Demons forward Jake Melksham into the back of Harrison Petty, with the incident concussing both of them.

Melksham was cleared of any wrongdoing over the incident.

McGovern has not progressed since the mandatory 12-day period under the AFL's concussion protocols.

The panel outcomes span from personalised rehabilitation plans and an extension of the return-to-play timeframe to retirement on medical grounds.

"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 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."

McGovern, among the league's best defenders in his prime, has been restricted to 34 games since the start of the 2023 season.

Last October, former West Coast teammate Luke Edwards stepped away from the game to focus on his recovery from multiple concussions.

Then aged 22, Edwards suffered three concussions, his last being in the round-20 western derby in what was his 12th appearance of the season.

He joined Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw and Western Bulldogs draftee Aiden O'Driscoll as players who had careers cut short in 2024 because of concussion.

Former Eagles Brad Sheppard and Daniel Venables both retired in 2021 because of concussion.