McGovern had missed the West Coast Eagles' last six matches following a concussion sustained against Melbourne in Round 8 and has undertaken significant consultation with the Eagles' medical staff as well as his family and the AFL panel.
He played 197 league games, all for West Coast, mostly as a formidable centre half back with an outstanding ability to take intercept marks as well as accurately transition the ball out of defence.
In a statement via the club, McGovern spoke of his "absolute honour to pull on the West Coast jumper for the past 15 years".
“As much as this isn't the way I would have liked to go out, I respect the decision," McGovern continued.
“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 – Mum and Dad, my brother Mitch, my wife Madi and my three kids Hudson, Marlee and Lewie – 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.”
West Coast Eagles general manager of football Gavin Bell praised the 2024 club Best & Fairest winner for his persistence in overcoming several physical setbacks such as injury and concussion.
“To see ‘Gov’ come from WAFL reserves when he was drafted through to what he has achieved as a premiership player and five-time All-Australian, it’s just a wonderful example to our current players,” Bell stated.
“The opportunity is there for players to grab it, and ‘Gov’ certainly did. It didn’t start off easily for him and he had to get to work, focus on his strengths and develop his game.
“Even to overcome the injury setbacks he has battled in recent years to bounce back and become our Club Champion for the first time last year showed his commitment to getting the best out of himself.
“‘Gov’ was exactly the type of player you would love to play with because he was tough and courageous, wanted to win, but also off the field he cared about his mates and looked after others.”