Another telling display from star defender Jeremy McGovern as West Coast Eagles notch first win of AFL season

Ex-North Albany defender Jeremy McGovern continued his excellent form as his team bounced back from last week’s western derby loss, overcoming Collingwood by 13 points at the MCG on Saturday. West Coast went into the game as considerable underdogs but the depleted outfit outgunned the Magpies in the final term, booting four goals to seal the win, 14.3 (87) to 10.14 (74). McGovern was at his scintillating best throughout the game, intercepting several Collingwood kicks and nullifying the Magpies midfielders’ best efforts to hit a leading target inside their forward 50. Although the Magpies led the inside-50 count 61 to 42, the Eagles defenders stood tall throughout the contest and set their team up going the other way as the visitors kicked seven of the last nine goals. McGovern has been in brilliant form to start the year and the impenetrable defender will be looking to make his case for the fifth All-Australian selection of his career this season. Former Brownlow medallist and 3AW broadcaster Jimmy Bartel gave McGovern a perfect five votes for his efforts as he named him his best on ground. McGovern finished with 22 possessions and 12 marks, five of which were contested, to go with 11 intercepts in a display which drew huge praise from coach Adam Simpson. “Our backs stood up really well . . . McGovern was really special today and he’s been very special all year,” he said. North Albany product and Collingwood key forward Darcy Cameron also managed to get on the score sheet, finishing with eight disposals and one goal. Former Railways junior Jordan Clark played his part in Fremantle’s impressive win against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night, 13.10 (88) to 8.6 (54). Clark played off half-back in a see-sawing affair until the Dockers put in a terrific final quarter, outscoring the Giants by 34 points. Carlton were left to rue the absence of injured North Albany junior Mitch McGovern as the Blues suffered a 30-point loss to the Suns on Sunday afternoon, 8.14 (62) to 13.14 (92). West Coast will play Sydney at Optus Stadium on Friday night in a bid to improve their record to two wins from five games and Fremantle head east to face Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.