STAR West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern has revealed he broke his ribs during the Grand Final before taking his game-changing intercept mark late in the Grand Final.

McGovern was already in serious doubt for the decider after he tore muscles off his hip and suffered internal bleeding following a heavy knock in the preliminary final from Melbourne forward Christian Petracca.

The 26-year-old spent the night after the Demons victory in hospital on a morphine drip and was urinating blood during the week, sparking concerns about serious kidney damage.

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"I probably didn't think I was going to play," McGovern told Channel Nine.

"Early days it (the pain) was 10 (out of 10). Throughout the week it was 10.

"I probably played at about three, three or four depending on when I got hit."

McGovern needed six injections just to get onto the MCG on Grand Final day and added to his considerable duress when he broke his ribs during the epic five-point victory over Collingwood.

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"I copped another couple of hits in the back and cracked my other ribs," he said.

"I don't know what time of the game it was, but I've ended up cracking those, so that was great.

"You've got to love your footy."

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Despite only being touch-and-go for the big dance and then breaking his ribs, McGovern was outstanding against the Pies, picking up 14 disposals and hauling in nine marks – including three contested.

His last grab will go down in Grand Final folklore, after the three-time All Australian left direct opponent Jordan De Goey, soared for an intercept mark and then launched the match-defining attack for Dom Sheed to kick the go-ahead goal.

"I'm not going to lie to you, I've watched it and I've enjoyed every second of it," McGovern said.