Footy great's son steals the show with a VERY rude gesture to the crowd as his dad is farwelled by his team in emotional scenes
The youngster was walking around the oval at the Optus Stadium as his dad and Eagles premiership hero Dom Sheed waved goodbye to West Coast fans, after the announcement that the pair would both be hanging up their footy boots.
The Eagles legends, who were both instrumental in that dramatic final passage of play that saw the Eagles win their 2018 premiership title, stepped out onto the field at half-time during West Coast's nine-point defeat by Adelaide.
They were met by cheers from the fans, but one eagle-eyed supporter captured the moment that McGovern's son, Hudson, raised his middle finger up at one section of the crowd at the Optus Stadium.
He was also humorously seen sticking out his tongue as he flipped fans the bird.
It comes after Eagles star-man Harley Reid has copped widespread flak this year and a big fine after he raised his middle finger to some Brisbane Lions fans during the West Coast's defeat at The Gabba in Round Two.
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The Eagles No 1 draft pick had received a $1,000 fine for the act, while Geelong Cats star has also copped a hefty bill for also flipping the bird at spectators this year.
But many TikTok users laughed at the funny video, with one writing: '$5 fine and has to vacuum the floors for two weeks at home.'
'Suspended for two games,' another fan joked, while another added: '$2,000 fine by the AFL,' another added.
'More like Harley Reid Jr,' another joked, while one said: 'Sign him up now.'
Back in 2018, McGovern fearlessly soared through the air to take a stunning grab with just 2 minutes and 38 seconds remaining on the clock. The Eagles were trailing Collingwood by two points in the AFL Grand Final, and McGovern rose higher than Magpies star Brody Mihocek to win the ball back.
What happened next has gone down in both Eagles and AFL folklore, with the key defender sending the ball forward to Eagles ruckman Nathan Vardy. He turned and found flying Liam Ryan who booted out wide to Dom Sheed on the edge of the West Coast's forward 50.
Sheed, with two minutes left on the clock, kicked the winner and cemented himself as an Eagles immortal.
On Sunday, touching tributes from Eagles fans for the two retiring legends were displayed on the big screens at the Optus.
'It's been a bit of a long, drawn-out process, but it's very humbling, and it was nice to get out and see the fans and say goodbye officially,' McGovern, aged 33, said.
In June, the Eagles defender announced that his retirement was due to medical reasons.
'I'm at peace with it, it's OK, because I respect the game,' he said.
'The game demands a lot from players and, in this instance, it is unlucky for me but at the same time, there's a beauty to it that it can be taken away at any time.
'I hope everyone cherishes it and understands what are our players go through every time they run out on that footy field. It's sad not getting the fairytale, but I'm at peace with it.
'It's the right decision.'
He had, in fact, gone into the sheds to give the team a pep-talk before the Eagles clash against the high-flying Crows.
'He was a bit nervous to do it, but he's just so passionate about this football club and it was just a nice touch for the boys,' West Coast boss Andrew McQualter said.
Sheed also retires after 165 appearances for the footy club. However, a string of injuries have restricted his playing time of late.
'To play for the Club I grew up supporting has been a dream come true, but the relationships you build and memories you share from footy are what I will cherish most from my time in the game,' he explained.
'There are so many people I would like to thank for helping me along the journey, first and foremost my amazing family.
'It hasn't always been easy. There's been plenty of ups and downs, and to finish up without being able to play alongside the boys this year due to injury has been tough.'
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