Star West Coast Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern has been ruled out for the remainder of the season as a result of a serious injury incurred against Geelong four weeks ago.

McGovern received an accidental knee to the ribs against the Cats, was taken to hospital and spent several nights in care after requiring surgery to have a plate inserted to support broken ribs.

After a medical review yesterday it was determined that McGovern, who is still experiencing discomfort, should not play in the remaining six rounds of the season.

“It is a very nasty and concerning injury that Gov has been dealing with,” Football Manager Gavin Bell said today. “He has been back at the club in the last week and has been on light duties, but a medical review has recommended that he does not play again this season.

“While Gov has shown a high pain tolerance throughout his career and was keen to do everything possible to play at some stage in the last six rounds, we are guided by the assessment of the medical staff.”    

McGovern started the season in stunning form but has been restricted to just 10 games through a bout of COVID in round five, a back injury that saw him subbed out against the Western Bulldogs in round 11 and then his serious rib injury.

Meanwhile, Eagles SSP recruit Luke Strnadica will not continue with the club.

Strnadica has decided that for personal reasons he will step away for the remainder of the season.

The former Fremantle big man played against Port Adelaide and Richmond in rounds six and seven before being forced into the AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols and then suffering a calf injury.

And the season is over for another of the club’s supplementary selections, Tom Joyce. The former Brisbane midfielder has a bone stress injury in his ankle and has been ruled out for 2022.

Joyce first injured his ankle in what appeared to be an innocuous training accident in the lead-up to the season but has been unable to recover.