Star defender Jeremy McGovern says he hasn’t missed a beat so far this summer and feels in career-best shape coming off an injury-marred 2022.

One of numerous Eagles who battled an interrupted campaign last year, the four-time All-Australian ensured there was a silver lining to the season-ending broken ribs he suffered in round 14 by getting a head start on pre-season.

“I’m feeling great,” McGovern said on Wednesday.

“Pre-season has been good. I haven’t really missed a beat so far this pre-season, I’ve pretty much done all minutes, which is pretty much what most players are trying to aim for, to get as much time in the legs as possible.

“I’m no different and feeling good, ready to go.”

McGovern’s teammates have returned post-Christmas in excellent condition, with a large number of Eagles consistently on the track, putting in the hard work and keen to bounce back in 2023.

“As a club we had a poor year last year and we want to do everything we can throughout the off-season to come back in as good shape as we can to prepare ourselves for this year,” McGovern said

“It’s only pre-season, everyone is going pretty well, but I feel like as a group we’re trying to do everything we can to give ourselves the best opportunity.

“We haven’t really gone too deep into where we think we can get to (next season) yet - we’ve really just been focused on this pre-season.

“Last year we were in a good position as well and then the world came down on us really with the injuries and Covid.

“Right now we’re focused on knocking this pre-season off, staying as fit and healthy as we can. Then from there, who knows.

“We’ve still got belief in the whole group, in the club, that we can really push and make something of it this year for sure.”

McGovern confirmed fellow premiership backman Tom Cole was fine following a minor tweak to the same ankle he injured last season on Monday. 

Cole watched on from the sidelines during Wednesday's skill session but is set to resume running on Friday.  

“He’s alright. He just tweaked his ankle a little bit. He’ll be fine, but they’re obviously being precautionary with him obviously missing (all of) last year,” McGovern said.

“We want to try and get everyone as fit and healthy as we can. I can’t wait to have him back. He’s an underrated player.

“Within our four walls he’s highly-rated and down back he’s one of the first picked, for me. I love playing with him, so I can’t wait for him to come back.”

McGovern declared Luke Shuey would be welcomed with “open arms” if coach Adam Simpson decided to use the 2018 Norm Smith medallist in a different role in defence, but expected the Eagles skipper would remain primarily a midfielder.

Shuey is continuing to mentor the next generation of West Coast onballers, including top draftee Reuben Ginbey, who has impressed with his maturity and professionalism, along with his clear football talent.

“He’s been extremely impressive. Just the way he carries himself and handles himself off the field,” McGovern said of the Dunsborough product.

“Obviously everyone knows what he’s like on it, but he’s a young leader already, you can tell.

“He’s got a bit of presence about him. When we start getting into the footy stuff, he’s built for it, for sure. I’m extremely excited about him.”