Premiership stars Jeremy McGovern and Elliot Yeo are among six loyal and passionate West Coast Eagles servants who were today honoured, receiving the club’s highest recognition – that of life membership.

They were each scheduled to be presented with the distinction at the club’s 2022 Season Launch at the Crown Ballroom, but that function was cancelled due to new restrictions imposed by the State Government that came into effect early yesterday morning.

With numbers capped at 150 people for indoor venues, the event was cancelled and instead a live stream was created from the club’s function room at Mineral Resources Park.

McGovern and Yeo qualified for life membership for their remarkable on-field contributions, playing 150 senior matches – the pinnacle for both being the 2018 premiership triumph.

McGovern, another of the remarkable array of success stories to graduate from the Eagles rookie list, played his milestone game in the round 17 match against St Kilda last year, while Yeo achieved the feat in round 23 against Brisbane.

Others who were also lauded included former chairman Michael Smith, long-serving volunteer David Grace AM QC and club executives Deane Pieters and Gary Stocks.

Life Member Biographies
Jeremy McGovern
After being rookie listed in 2011 and again in 2013, McGovern was elevated to the senior list at the end of that season – coinciding with the arrival of Adam Simpson as senior coach. He soon became an integral part of the West Coast Eagles defensive structure – having played most of his development football in attack and in the ruck – and was an all-Australian in four consecutive years (2016-19). He has been a vice-captain for the last three years and was also runner-up in the Club Champion Award in 2017. McGovern initiated the iconic match-winning play in the 2018 Grand Final against Collingwood, taking a strong intercept mark deep in defence. He then transferred the ball to ruckman Nathan Vardy, who hit up Liam Ryan on the wing. After a trademark high flying grab, Ryan played on and found Dom Sheed deep on the half-forward flank. Sheed then slotted a dart from 40 metres that gave the Eagles the lead with just minutes on the clock.        

Elliot Yeo
Originally from East Fremantle, Yeo was drafted by Brisbane with selection 30 in the 2011 National Draft. Two years later he was lured back to his home town, joining the Eagles in exchange for selection 28. The powerful midfielder has become one of the most dynamic players in the competition, a unique mix of power, strength and speed making him a game breaker. He has twice won the John Worsfold Medal (2017-18) and was runner-up in 2019. He was also an all-Australian in 2017 and 2019 and was another who was involved in a clutch moment in the 2018 Grand Final. He took an intercept mark in the Eagles forward half in the third term as momentum continued to swing the way of his team. He then nailed the set shot from 40 metres and his celebratory fist pump is one of the enduring images of the club’s fourth premiership.              

Michael Smith
Respected businessman Michael Smith joined the West Coast Eagles board in 1996 and served as chairman from 1999-2002. He played a key role in steering the club through the post-Mick Malthouse era when the Eagles played finals in every year of the 90s, through the appointment of favourite son John Worsfold as coach. Ultimately that proved a pivotal decision as the Eagles regenerated and won the club’s third premiership in 2006. He was a sage leader and has continued since stepping away from the Board. He established his reputation as founder and managing director of The Marketing Centre, but his business interests have expanded exponentially as Chairman of Seven Eleven, Starbucks Australia, Lionel Samson Sadliers Group and Pioneer Credit Limited. He has also had a strong influence in the arts in WA, including terms as chairman of the Perth International Arts Festival and Barking Gecko Theatre Company.

David Grace AM QC
One of the most respected sporting counsels globally, David Grace has volunteered his services at the West Coast Eagles since 2004. He is a member of both the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the National Sports Tribunal and sits as a member of the Governance Commission of World Athletics. He has previously been President of Athletics Australia and served the Australian Olympic Committee as Team Advocate at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He has led the club’s tribunal representation with distinction, including the frequent assessment and interpretation of charges, serving our players and our club with his outstanding knowledge and commitment. In addition he has assisted the club and numerous players in resolving a myriad of legal issues that have arisen over the years. Over the course of that time he has grown to be a respected mentor, confidante and friend of many at the club. His impact has been significant and far-reaching and his contribution has been profound.

Deane Pieters
Since June 2000, Pieters has been ubiquitous at the West Coast Eagles joining the club’s marketing department after a stint at Cricket Australia. In 2001 he was promoted to the role of General Manager – Marketing, joining the club’s executive. He has remained on the executive ever since, in recent years as General Manager – Business Development and Growth, where one of his key responsibilities involved negotiating the club’s transition to playing home games at Optus Stadium. Aside from his two decades at the club, Pieters was also an accomplished athlete, representing the Australian swim team from 1991-93, including the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. He was a product of the Trigg Surf Life Saving Club and was world Surf Life Saving Champion in 1990. In 2010 he won the annual Rottnest Channel swim.

Gary Stocks
Joining the club in November 2000 in the newly-created position of General Manager – Communications, Stocks has been a member of the club’s executive ever since. He has overseen the growth of the department that now takes responsibility for production of digital and social content, design and media management. A journalist before his appointment to the club, Stocks has also written two books celebrating the club’s history as well as collaborating with club greats John Worsfold, Glen Jakovich, Chris Lewis and Ben Cousins on other publications. Stocks started his media career in Albany and joined The West Australian as a sportswriter in 1983, covering football, cricket and tennis. He won various awards, including the Gilmour Prize for Sports Writing and the coveted Geoff Christian Award from the WA Football Media Guild.