Internal bleeding and $50,000 penalties: Adam Simpson relieved that Jeremy McGovern’s concussion decision is no longer his responsibility

Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson has expressed relief that the AFL has taken the reins concerning Jeremy McGovern’s potential return, particularly due to McGovern’s remarkable resilience.

McGovern is currently sidelined indefinitely because of persistent concussion symptoms, having endured multiple concussions throughout his career.

Consequently, it is now up to the AFL Concussion Panel to determine whether he will be cleared to make a comeback to the sport.

In recent years, the AFL has witnessed several players, including Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw, Brisbane’s Marcus Adams, Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, as well as young Western Bulldogs recruit Aiden O’Driscoll, retire early due to the long-standing impacts of concussion.

Simpson recounted a tale of McGovern playing in the 2018 grand final despite suffering from torn muscles in his hip and internal bleeding, injuries that he sustained during the preliminary final.

This was shared to underscore the fact that the AFL has made a laudable decision by removing the responsibility from the players’ shoulders.

“I truly hope that people in the eastern states recognise how exceptional this player is,” Simpson remarked to SEN on Thursday.

“We certainly do, but if he were based in Victoria, his reputation would be elevated even further. The way he plays has somewhat altered the game.”

“In the 2018 grand final, he sustained an injury during the prelim, which resulted in internal bleeding. He said he was running with his organs feeling ‘slushy’ due to the blood surrounding them.”

“When you hear that, it’s concerning and you start to think that he might not play, yet there he was, running as if winded.”

“We flew him over and had the grand final parade, where he underwent a fitness test. Remarkably, he passed it, and no doubt the doctors wouldn’t have allowed him to play if there were any risks to his life, but he still volunteered.”

“He was reluctant to participate in the (grand final parade) car because he was in too much pain, and the AFL informed us that we couldn’t start until he arrived.”

“We ended up starting half an hour late because they threatened a $50,000 fine if he didn’t make it into that ridiculous car.”

“Eventually, he made it, played in the grand final, and performed just as he always does.”

That remarkable last play in the finals exemplified his typical style.

McGovern was instrumental in the dramatic conclusion of the 2018 grand final, intercepting an Adam Treloar kick inside 50 that ignited the pivotal sequence culminating in Dom Sheed’s match-winning goal.

He recorded nine marks from 14 disposals in that match, and remarkably, he suffered a rib injury during the grand final as well.

“He’s an extraordinary individual, displaying bravery that’s almost unmatched. I’m actually relieved that the current situation has been taken out of his control and that the AFL is handling this assessment well,” Simpson added.

“Players are always inclined to step up and play.”

Simpson admitted he is “a bit” concerned that we may have seen the last of McGovern at the AFL level.

“That comes from a place of care. He’s 32 now and it needs to be evaluated. Whatever decision is made will be the right one,” he remarked.

McGovern boasts an illustrious AFL career, having been selected in five All-Australian teams between 2016 and 2024, securing a club best-and-fairest award, alongside winning the 2018 premiership. He has played 191 career games for the Eagles since he was drafted in 2011.