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West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern says whole team defence, not just the backline to blame for St Kilda loss

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Mark DuffieldThe West Australian
Jeremy McGovern says the whole team’s defensive efforts and not just the back six are to blame for the loss to St Kilda.
Camera IconJeremy McGovern says the whole team’s defensive efforts and not just the back six are to blame for the loss to St Kilda. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern says Alex Witherden and Luke Foley will be in the frame to replace the injured Shannon Hurn as the Eagles gear up for Friday’s clash with 2020 finals nemesis Collingwood.

And McGovern said the entire team and not just the back six had to take the responsibility for the second half fade out that saw them cough up eight unanswered goals to St Kilda last weekend on their way to a 20-point loss.

He said the loss also could not be blamed on the early loss of Hurn in the match either.

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“We miss him (Hurn) for sure. But the boys who come down there they will come in and fill a role. I don’t think the reason we lost was because we didn’t have Bunga down there,” he said.

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“We didn’t hold up to their pressure really. We were down in the contest and down in a lot of areas.

West Coast defender Alex Witherden is a chance to make his debut for West Coast on Friday night.
Camera IconWest Coast defender Alex Witherden is a chance to make his debut for West Coast on Friday night. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

“I don’t think it was the back six. I think the whole team was pretty disappointed. We were trying to hold up. They ended up getting got top of us. In the back six you don’t want them to kick a goal ever. They were coming at us pretty hard.”

“Alex Witherden’s form has been pretty good and plays a similar role to Bunga and Luke Foley has been stringing a lot of good form together in the last couple of years he has been building.”

McGovern was quick to defend Tom Barrass, who was on Max King for much of the match. King kicked five goals but McGovern said those goals could not be attributed directly to Barrass.

“Looking back on the goals I don’t think they were directly on Tommy. A lot of them were from turnovers and that sort of thing. We look at it more holistically rather than individuals. King did kick a few but I don’t think they were on Tommy or anyone in particular.”

“If we can nullify the supply and the way it is coming in there and clean up a few turnovers I think that would go a long way to help.”

“If you ask any defender the last thing they want is a lot of supply and it coming in nice and clean.”

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has flagged the possibility of playing Darcy Moore as a forward.

McGovern said that would be “a challenge” but the Eagles had to be on alert for more than just Moore.

“Darcy started his career up forward and I remember playing on him a few times. He is lively. He is good above his head and he is quick as well. He has a lot of attributes. They have got a lot of good forwards up there. If they throw Darcy Moore there there will be more than just him to worry about,” he said.

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