West Coast linchpin Jeremy McGovern spent two nights in hospital with internal bleeding before being cleared to play in Saturday’s AFL grand final.
McGovern, a key contributor in the Eagles’ five-point win against Collingwood, was hospitalised last weekend after being hurt in a preliminary final triumph.
McGovern suffered a hip flexor injury when bumped last week but also suffered internal bleeding, which was kept secret until after the premiership decider.
“He just had this internal bleeding that was around his organs,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
“We had to get that settled and once we tipped over ‘this is safe’, then it was about his comfort.”
McGovern, who was only cleared to play after a Friday fitness test, took nine marks and had 14 disposals in West Coast’s grand final victory.
“I just didn’t want to let the team down,” McGovern said.
“I didn’t want to become a burden on the day. And if I ran out there and I was off for the last three quarters then it wouldn’t be great for the team.
“It was more down to the team decision and not worrying about myself.”
Simpson hailed McGovern’s “special effort”.
“I’m not surprised Gov could do that,” he said.
“He plays sore a lot – he looks sore all the time, even when he’s feeling good.
“He’s an old-school footballer – not the way he plays, but he loves his mates, he loves a beer when the time is right.
“He is passionate for the club and that’s why he’s in our leadership group.
“Those types of things make you feel like you can back those guys in on the big occasion, because they’ll do whatever it takes.”