West Coast’s new eldest statesman Jeremy McGovern says the thrill of main the Eagles’ daunting rebuild was getting him up within the mornings.
McGovern, 31, would be the oldest participant on the membership’s checklist subsequent 12 months – beating out teammate Jamie Cripps by simply eight days – with the retirements of captain Luke Shuey (33), Shannon Hurn (35) and Nic Naitanui (33) this weekend.
The four-time All-Australian dedicated to serving to the Eagles by way of their worst on-field interval by signing a two-year contract extension, regardless of the chance of restricted success earlier than he ultimately calls time on his illustrious profession.
It comes as McGovern doubles down on his assist of coach Adam Simpson, who’s future a the Eagles is clouded heading into the low season.
McGovern stated he was excited by the expansion to come back in what is ready to be one of many youngest lists within the AFL within the coming years.
“The goal is to have as much success as we can as quickly as possible, of course,” McGovern stated.
“We’ll take a little bit of time with some young boys, but we’ve seen a lot of growth through the group.
“And we’ll hit the draft this year and so it’ll be a completely different looking list. I’m really excited about it.
“Actually it’s what’s getting me up out of bed each morning… trying to drive this young group and trying to get us back to success as quickly as possible.”
Before McGovern and the Eagles delve too far into the subsequent step they’ll deal with sending their trio of stars out on a excessive with a win over Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
“I think that’s the best way we can send them out. You’d love to send these boys out on a high note,” McGovern stated.
“We’ve been pretty disappointing. So for us to finish off the year well, play as well as we can and try to get a win is the best way we can send the boys off.
“Whether we get the win or not, just giving absolute effort and leaving nothing out there would be something that would be respected and be pretty proud of. So I’m sure that’d be the boys’ mentality.”
McGovern is hoping the farewells finish there, with the defender backing under-fire coach Simpson as the perfect man to guide the Eagles.
Simpson’s destiny as coach is ready to be determined by the board within the coming weeks after a disastrous two seasons that has yielded simply 5 wins thus far.
The membership’s supporters have come out in power to again the 2018 premiership coach and McGovern added to the groundswell, saying he was “100 per cent” behind Simpson.
“I’d love to say keep coaching for as long as he can,” McGovern stated.
“He’s been a great coach here for a long period of time, and hopefully that can continue. But that’s out of my control, unfortunately.”
McGovern stated Simpson’s well-rounded skills as a coach have been the explanation he believed he ought to proceed.
“He knows what it’s like to build a successful team. Now we’ve got a new core group of players, I think he works really well with the young boys, as well as you did with us senior players,” McGovern stated.
“He’s well-rounded with everything. The way he’s hanged himself this year, I think he’s handled that really well.
“He’s a leader and he’s been around for a little while, so I think he’s more than capable to keep leading us forward.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
