McGovern to stay an Eagle
STAR defender Jeremy McGovern is set to end his career as a one-club player after following his gut instinct to sign a five-year contract extension with West Coast.
McGovern, who would have been a restricted free agent at the end of the season, had reportedly been offered a sixyear deal worth more than $1 million a season by a rival Victorian club.
Fremantle was also interested in the key position star.
But the 26-year-old West Australian was always keen to stay put at West Coast, with his new contract tying him to the club until the end of 2023. The Eagles will now turn their attention to re-signing midfielder Andrew Gaff and ruckman Scott Lycett, with the duo both set to become free agents at the end of the year.
Gaff hails from Victoria, but the 26-year-old is settled in Perth and is leaning towards re-signing.
Meanwhile, JARRYD ROUGHEAD will play on into a 14th season, adamant he has no intention of retiring at season’s end.
The Hawthorn captain told News Corp yesterday he was aware of criticism of his form but happy with his contribution this season.
Roughead has kicked 26.20 this year and even pinch-hit in the ruck against Carlton, showing off his versatility as the Hawks push for finals.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson did not guarantee his future last week, saying he would sit down with Roughead later in the season.
But the 31-year-old, who missed the entire 2016 season recovering from cancer, says he is certain to play on next year.
“Yep. I am contracted so why would you give it up?’’ he said.
“You hear the outside noise, that’s going to come with me being 31 and where the side is.
“But as long as I am still doing what I can on the weekend it means I can still contribute to this side and play.
“I am only 31, it’s not as if I am long in the tooth. I have just got no hair and have had a couple of injuries over the last couple of years so it’s getting used to playing at high speed.”