After making his return from injury for Saturday's clash with Geelong, West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern has been hit with another setback.
The 30-year-old was a late scratching from his side's Round 12 matchup with Adelaide two weeks ago due to a back complaint sustained the weekend prior and was given time to rest over the recent bye round.
In his first game since late May against the Bulldogs, McGovern was subbed out of Adam Simpson's side for the second successive time, sustaining a nasty knock to the ribs in the second quarter against the Cats.
In leaping for a loose ground ball McGovern was met by Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron, whose knee collided with the backman's midriff, leaving McGovern grimacing on the ground.
The premiership Eagle eventually moved to the sidelines and down to his side's rooms, where he gained further medical treatment.
Jeremy McGovern was assisted from the field following this collision. #AFLEaglesCats pic.twitter.com/WL7LY7Y9d7
— AFL (@AFL) June 18, 2022
After some assessment, the Eagles opted to use their medical substitution and concluded McGovern's day.
The decision saw mature-aged recruit Greg Clark brought into the game with close to 10 minutes remaining in the opening half.
McGovern's injury was the Eagles' second blow of the day, having lost midfielder Tim Kelly to illness as a late change.
At least one week on the sidelines would see McGovern miss his side's clash with Essendon next Friday at Optus Stadium.
