West Coast Eagles champion Jeremy McGovern reveals messages of assist from Melbourne ahead Jake Melksham | USAEMALL.com

Jeremy McGovern has revealed Melbourne’s Jake Melksham, who was involved in the collision that led to his career-ending concussion, reached out to the West Coast champion over his retirement.

McGovern was awarded a free kick in the round eight clash at Optus Stadium after Melksham pushed him into a marking contest.

It resulted in McGovern clashing heads with Demon Harrison Petty, with both players concussed in the incident and placed in protocols.

It would ultimately be the Eagles premiership defender’s final game, with McGovern retiring on medical grounds following a recommendation from the AFL’s concussion panel.

The 33-year-old revealed he “heard from Melksham straight after the game” and had remained in contact since. McGovern officially announced his retirement on Friday.

“He (Melksham) was extremely thoughtful and caring about what was going on,” McGovern told SEN.

“I’ve been chatting to him over the last few weeks, to be honest. He’s been super.”

Melsksham was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Match Review Officer over the collision, who found “it was not reasonably foreseeable that McGovern and Petty would make contact in the manner that occurred”.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin also defended Melksham’s actions post-match, stating he was contesting the ball and the actions of West Coast defender Reuben Ginbey had also contributed to the collision.

McGovern held no ill-will toward Melksham over the incident, saying he “made it pretty clear to him” that the decision was made to protect his long-term health following multiple head knocks across his 197-game career.