Footy legend reveals AFL boss's threat over grand final parade as West Coast star nearly missed 2018 premiership

Jeremy McGovern has lifted the lid on how close he came to missing West Coast’s 2018 premiership, revealing an internal bleed and a gauntlet thrown down by then-AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan in the days before the grand final.

The Eagles great, who has since retired, said a cork-like injury and a haematoma around his organs worsened after West Coast’s 2018 preliminary final win over Melbourne. He described the injury as an internal bleed that sounded almost hectic and noted that the swelling around his midsection was too severe to dissipate with standard treatment. He recalled that attempts to drain the bleed and to ease the pressure through injections had failed, leaving the team to pursue unconventional recovery methods.

West Coast’s medical staff, led by the club’s physio team, turned to breathing techniques popularized by Wim Hof to help McGovern mobilize his chest and diaphragm. He explained that the breathing exercises, done repeatedly through the day, paired with massage and varied movement, helped him regain some function and mobility. He said, "It was internal bleeding, it sounds a bit hectic. It was a cork internally around my organs. It was a big haematoma that we couldn't get out. We tried everything, different injections, and trying to soften it. It couldn't come out." He added that the team also incorporated pool running and other modalities to keep him moving while the injury was managed.

Amid the medical drama, McGovern’s participation in the grand final was not a foregone conclusion. Shortly before the parade, then-CEO Gillon McLachlan pressed the point that McGovern had to attend the grand final parade or face exclusion from the decider. McGovern recounted that the club would have faced a $50,000 fine if he skipped the parade, but the club insisted it would pay the penalty if necessary in order to secure his presence and, more importantly, his readiness for the game.

"Gill got on the phone and said, 'If he doesn't get to the parade you're not playing'," McGovern said. He described the moment as a high-stakes ultimatum, with West Coast footy boss Craig Vozzo calling to convey the club’s stance: that attendance was non-negotiable. "So I get a call from Craig Vozzo (West Coast footy boss at the time) who said, 'Mate, you have to get here now otherwise you're not playing'" McGovern recalled. He said the team’s plan hinged on a last-minute decision and that the mood among staff was tense as they weighed the risk of pushing him into action.

The ride to the parade became a small drama of its own. McGovern recounted that he jumped into a car with teammates waiting for him, adding that his sunglasses—an uncharacteristic touch in the moment—stood out as teammates teased him for the scene. "I jumped on the back of the car. They were all waiting for me, it was even more embarrassing. I had my sunnies on and the one rule was no sunnies. All the boys were like, 'The rockstar's here'" he said, underscoring the surreal mix of pressure and relief that followed.

With the clock ticking, the decision at hand was whether he could pass a fitness test and participate in the grand final parade and, ultimately, the game itself. McGovern said the process felt like a collective choice rather than a unilateral call. The medical staff conducted testing in the club’s hallway at the MCG, sometimes described as a tense, improvised gym session. He recalled that there was a sense that he would be ruled out if he wobbled on the threshold, and the staff gave him a final window to prove his readiness: "We had to do it in the 'G down the hallway. 'Where is everyone?' Nah, it's just us. 'I bumped the bag a few times after training because I couldn't get moving at training and said, 'What do you reckon?'. They said, 'We'll give you till tomorrow'" McGovern said.

Ultimately, McGovern did lace up for the grand final against Collingwood and delivered a pivotal performance as West Coast captured its fourth AFL premiership. He became a central figure in a victory built on resilience and the ability to overcome health hurdles that would have sidelined most players. The performance helped solidify his reputation as a cornerstone of the Eagles’ success during a defining era of the club’s history.

The 2018 season remains a vivid example of the line between risk and reward in modern football. McGovern’s experience highlighted the intense pressure players face in the lead-up to a grand final and the lengths clubs will go to ensure they have their best available lineup for the biggest day of the year. It also underscored the sometimes unwieldy authority of AFL leadership in the lead-up to major finals, a topic that has drawn attention in various contexts around the league.

McGovern has since retired, leaving behind a legacy as a durable and influential defender who helped West Coast reach and win multiple key matches in a difficult period for the club. His account adds a new chapter to the record of the 2018 grand final and the broader story of how West Coast navigated a season defined by adversity, discipline, and a determination to close out with a premiership banner atop the club’s history.