Fifth All-Australian honour and Worsfold Medal have Jeremy McGovern tipped to win Albany sportsperson award

West Coast Eagles superstar Jeremy McGovern appears set to add to his outstanding 2024 with the Wellington and Reeves Albany Sportsperson of the Year honour. McGovern is one of five high-level athletes in the running to claim Thursday night’s top prize at the Albany Sportsperson of the Year Awards at Retravision Stadium. Inaugural winner and fellow AFL player Darcy Cameron is also nominated alongside rising WA fast bowler Bryce Jackson, national volleyball representative Ryan Slater and AFL mid-season draftee Jacob Blight. McGovern has never won an Albany Sportsperson of the Year title, moving away from the city at a young age to pursue his football dream. However his fifth All-Australian honour and first John Worsfold Medal as the Eagles club champion have McGovern as a firm favourite to win his hometown gong. Last year the Eagles champion won a fifth All-Australian jacket after averaging 20.6 disposals, 84.4% disposal efficiency, 6.0 marks, 3.2 intercept marks, 4.4 spoils and 7.3 rebound 50s across 19 games. He was the first player to be named at centre half back in the team on three occasions and went on to win the Worsfold Medal by seven votes. WA-contracted player Jackson appears to be McGovern’s main opposition for the award, after a breakout 2024 where he firstly debuted in the WA one-day team and then claimed record figures. Jackson took thee wickets on debut in February and then in September recorded WA’s best one-day bowling figures in history with a stunning 6-31 against South Australia. He also finished one vote behind the winner in the one-day player of the year award for the national competition. Cameron put together another season that could see him win back-to-back awards. The ruckman’s career best season earned him selection in the All-Australian squad of 44 for the first time but he wasn’t picked in the final 22. Cameron also finished second in the Copeland Medal count, the Magpies best and fairest award. Slater will be hoping to upset the main trio of fancies after an outstanding 2024 where he pulled on Australian colours. He was a member of the Australian Volleyroos squad that played in Korea and China, won a silver medal with Perth Steel in the Australian Volleyball Super League and has been attended the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Blight’s remarkable rise to the AFL was recognised, named a finalist for the second straight year. The key defender shone for WA in a State game against South Australia before he was taken by Richmond in the mid-season draft. He went on to make his debut for the Tigers and played three AFL games in 2024. Winners in junior, senior and masters will also be announced at the gala ceremony. Australia’s most decorated female Paralympic athlete Ellie Cole is one of the guest speakers at the awards. Cole won 17 Paralympic medals and last year was awarded an AM for her significant service to sport and was the Australian flag bearer at the closing ceremony in Tokyo 2020. Four-time NBL champion and silver medallist for Australia in 3x3 basketball at the Commonwealth Games, Greg Hire will also speak at the event. A professional basketballer for a decade, Hire is now a passionate mental health advocate through a charity he founded A Stitch In Time.