West Coast star Jeremy McGovern has been medically retired by the AFL's concussion panel, bringing an end to an illustrious career in blue and gold.
The 33-year-old suffered a head knock against the Demons in Round 8 and has failed to return since, dealing with ongoing concussion symptoms from the injury.
As McGovern continued to remain stagnant with progression in regards to his recovery, the 2018 premiership hero fronted the AFL's concussion panel to assess the viability of his playing future.
A five-time All-Australian, McGovern had returned to top form as recent as last year, when he earned his final blazer five years after he had received his fourth.
Taken at Pick 44 in the 2011 rookie draft, McGovern exceeded the expectations his selection suggested he would achieve, becoming just one of three players taken in that draft class that would achieve premiership success alongside 2016 premiership Bulldogs Luke Dalhaus and Jason Johannisen.
McGovern's intercept mark late in the 2018 grand final kick-started the passage of play that led to Dom Sheed's eventual mark in the pocket, resulting in a set shot on goal that won the Eagles the premiership.
The 197-game career of McGovern is now over, however, as the concussion panel determined the generational defender's career must end to protect his health, per 7News' Mitch Cleary.
McGovern said he was "gutted" he could not run out in the Eagles uniform one last time, but was understanding of the devastating decision.
"It's been an absolute honour to pull on the West Coast jumper for the past 15 years, and it's something that I will forever be grateful for," McGovern said.
"As much as this isn't the way I would have liked to go out, I respect the decision.
"I'm gutted I don't get to pull the jumper on and run out one more time, but sometimes this is the way the game goes, and I am forever grateful to the West Coast supporters who have also shown me love and respect.
"I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with my career over the journey.
"My family โ Mum and Dad, my brother Mitch, my wife Madi and my three kids Hudson, Marlee and Lewie โ have been my biggest supporters, as well as my friends who have been amazing through my whole time in the AFL.
"To the club, I can't explain how much you have given me over my time here, and I can't thank you enough for drafting a fat kid from Albany and giving him a crack.
"I've always loved the game and winning a premiership is every kid's dream, but the lifelong friendships and relationships you build through footy mean more to me than anything.
"I will forever be indebted to West Coast, and I will always bleed blue and gold."
McGovern becomes the latest player to be medically retired, following the likes of Demon Angus Brayshaw, untried Bulldog draftee Aidan O'Driscoll and Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, who all ultimately retired due to concussion symptoms.
