Jeremy McGovern’s supreme aerial strength makes him the most valuable player in the competition, according to Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton.
Debuting in 2014, the intercept defender is already a three-time All-Australian and played a vital role in West Coast’s premiership triumph in 2018.
“The style of football that’s being played at the moment, the only real time you get to catch the other team out is when you intercept mark the ball, and their caught out of position,” Brereton told SEN’s KB and The Doc.
“The person who is the best in the competition at intercepting in a marking sense is Jeremy McGovern - by far.
“When he’s marking the ball like that, he gives the West Coast Eagles the best chance of winning the game. He’s the only aerialist backman I’ve seen that opposition tag, to stop him from marking the ball.
“Those teams with meaningful existence at the very sharp end of the ladder – he is the most important player and that makes him the most vital player in the competition.”
McGovern, 27, has played 107 games for the Eagles since he was selected with pick No.44 in the 2011 Rookie Draft.
Listen to Dermott Brereton’s chat on SEN’s KB and The Doc with Kevin Bartlett and Dr Turf in the player below
