Gibson yes, but not Scarlett. Close though
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Retiring Jeremy McGovern hangs them up
- Thread starter WillHayward
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Gibson yes, but not Scarlett. Close though
I disagree. Scarlett won 4 contested possessions per game. McGovern won 6.4 and was just as good a spoiler and ball user. Scarlett as the unrivalled best key defender this century is a bigger myth than the Scarlett Pimpernel.
From what I have seen, so is McGovern, and I have seen a lot of great key defenders. Jakovich was definitely in the absolute top class though. McGovern takes more than twice as many contested marks as either Jackovich or Scarlett. And Rance for that matter. McGovern has this over all other key defenders this century, he is even way ahead of Sam Taylor. It is a telling stat for a key defender and sets McGovern apart, especially since he was a great ball user - like Jackovich and Scarlett.
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Yep... Poor Collingwood bashing... It only ever goes one way...
I think the majority of people (i.e. nearly everyone) will say Jakovich but I would actually have McGovern. Similar roles but different types of players in many ways, I feel McGovern has been a bit underrated throughout his career. Jakovich was an absolute gun obviously, but I think the Carey vs Jakovich thing has elevated his reputation a little beyond his true standing. Carey was a very confident/arrogant footballer (fair enough, one of the best ever) and would often get sucked into trying to outwrestle Jakovich instead of utilising his superior mobility. This brought Jako right into the contest as he was one of the strongest footballers there has ever been - allowing him to halve contests more than Carey (or the footballing public for that matter) was used to. I think Carey still had the better of Jako but no one else came close to stopping Carey in the way Jako did (Carey did as he pleased most weeks). Now, whenever people talk about the greatest CHB of all time - Jako's name is brought up more often than not, with his record against Carey inevitably the main thing raised. It certainly is noteworthy but it's also just one (high profile) match up. Don't get me wrong, he was a gun who won 4 B&F's (including in a flag year) and was All Australian twice. But I'm not sure the greatest CHB ever is quite right - based primarily on his match up for 2 weeks a year.
McGovern is underrated in comparison. He has had 6 seasons in his career of 16+ games (thanks to injury) and was deservedly All Australian in 5 of those 6 seasons! The only year he missed was just his second year where he still missed 5 games and was subbed off injured 3 times. In other words, every time McGovern had close to a full season, he was the All Australian and was named on field (as one of only 2 or 3 key defenders) every time. To be basically the best in the comp in your role every full season you play is no mean feat! He mixed an ability to stop opponents with elite intercepting and played a key role in a flag win. Generally underrated for mine and yes, one of the best 3 or so key defenders of the 21st century (with Scarlett and Rance). If not for injury, would likely have been clear first.
kane249
Wibble
- Oct 27, 2006
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It's official
kane249
Wibble
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Donflicted
Club Legend
Fantastic player to watch one of the best defenders i have seen while growing up and watching footy
All the best to the future Govs
All the best to the future Govs
Forward Press
Hall of Famer
Posted in the Eagles injury thread but I'll post it here too.
It wouldn't even matter if we were flag contenders this year (lol). He's done more than enough for our club, is forever immortalised for the 2018 Grand Final (that intercept mark and playing through broken ribs and hospitalisation), I want him to have a long and fruitful life after retirement, he owes us nothing.
The lap of honour in our final home game this year would be tremendous.
It wouldn't even matter if we were flag contenders this year (lol). He's done more than enough for our club, is forever immortalised for the 2018 Grand Final (that intercept mark and playing through broken ribs and hospitalisation), I want him to have a long and fruitful life after retirement, he owes us nothing.
The lap of honour in our final home game this year would be tremendous.
Lunchtime
Premiership Player
- Mar 23, 2024
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A sad end to what was a really good career. But Jeremy's health and safety must always comes first. 197 games, a club Best & Fairest, 5-time All Australian and 2018 Premiership - so many achievements. One of the best defenders of the modern era, right up there alongside and equal with Scarlett and Rance (in my opinion).
If there was ever state of origin played in the Rance and McGovern era....those two on the same team in the backline for WA would be a nightmare for any opposition coach.
Well done Gov, great career.
If there was ever state of origin played in the Rance and McGovern era....those two on the same team in the backline for WA would be a nightmare for any opposition coach.
Well done Gov, great career.
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- Sep 15, 2011
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A genuine great and a feelgood story, coming from a rookie pick and accused of being fat and lazy. Shame about the way his career has ended but will forever be a club legend.
No good. Brilliant player, great career.
Sad it has ended this way. Such a damn good intercept defender who always seemed to be in the right spot. One of the best I've ever seen.
Was great that he got another AA last year.
Was great that he got another AA last year.
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Cam Payne
Club Legend
He's a great player and it's a shame to see him finish like this.
jannissary
AAAAAAAAAAARGH!
one of my favourite players to watch. it's a shame that he's gone but i'm glad that i got to witness him perform in some dominant games.
This one hurts.
Read the play like no other.
Read the play like no other.
He's the best I've ever seen. And we've had some tremendous defenders at the club in our time.
He disrupted teams style of play in a very rare way and there was no one I've ever seen better at reading the ball. Only untimely injuries in his last few years stopped him being a 7 or 8 time All Australian.
One of the greats. Hall of Fame worthy career. Always looked a little unfit but played through pain extremely often.
Legend. Go well Gov.
He disrupted teams style of play in a very rare way and there was no one I've ever seen better at reading the ball. Only untimely injuries in his last few years stopped him being a 7 or 8 time All Australian.
One of the greats. Hall of Fame worthy career. Always looked a little unfit but played through pain extremely often.
Legend. Go well Gov.
- Feb 8, 2013
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GOAT intercept marker?
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What a load of shit the first part is. Revolutionised defending with his intercept marking to the point it basically won us a flag by itself
If this isnt worthy of a thread then not a single Swans player at present would be .
Thanks for your service Guv - an incredible player for us. So consistent and gutsy over such a long period. The 2018 Grand final ending where he marked Treloars kick really summed up his career in one. His judgement was superb - Weighing up in a split second to leave his opponent to mark and rebound for Sheed to finally kick the goal is one of the greatest plays of all time. Could so easily have been a **** up if he hadnt judged it so well but thats what he did consistently his entire career.
InternetToughGuy
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Unpopular opinion but I've been watching footy since the '90s and would comfortably have him as the best defender I've ever seen and definitely in the conversation for best footballer I've ever seen.
chaosball32
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A sad ending, always had a healthy respect for McGovern as a rival fan.
I recall a derby early on in his career when he was playing as a forward and he was clunking them from everywhere and it was clear he was going to be a serious player.
I recall a derby early on in his career when he was playing as a forward and he was clunking them from everywhere and it was clear he was going to be a serious player.
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Ill say it isnt a sad way to hang his boots up myself. Its commendable and we should see it more often. He owed us nothing nor himself. Playing on moreso would have been pointless for all but mainly him. His health matters more
McGovern actually has a rarity in that he was promoted from the rookie list to the main list without ever playing a AFL game beforehand. Simmo fought tooth and nail for him and Gov did the same last year. Their is a reason Gov won AA last year lets say. He owed Simmo his career and he played for him like he did.
His contested marking aside one of his best traits was his ability to give up on the contested mark and spoil. He knew when to give it a go and when not too because he read the play so well. I think he finishes as a better player then Jako because he was more impactful. Jako was part of a team of champions. McGovern CREATED a team of champions and therein lies the difference
McGovern actually has a rarity in that he was promoted from the rookie list to the main list without ever playing a AFL game beforehand. Simmo fought tooth and nail for him and Gov did the same last year. Their is a reason Gov won AA last year lets say. He owed Simmo his career and he played for him like he did.
His contested marking aside one of his best traits was his ability to give up on the contested mark and spoil. He knew when to give it a go and when not too because he read the play so well. I think he finishes as a better player then Jako because he was more impactful. Jako was part of a team of champions. McGovern CREATED a team of champions and therein lies the difference
