Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has issued a bold pledge ahead of the Magpies’ preliminary final clash, admitting he feels indebted to his teammates for carrying the load during his extended recovery from injury.
The explosive midfielder-forward played only five games prior to Round 21 this season after a series of setbacks, including persistent soft-tissue concerns and a concussion at training. Yet, when it mattered most, he returned to form, showcasing his trademark big-game presence against Melbourne in the final round and then producing another standout performance in the qualifying final win over Adelaide.
Now, with Collingwood preparing for a mouth-watering preliminary final showdown against Brisbane, De Goey has revealed he feels a responsibility to repay his teammates for the patience and support shown throughout his disrupted campaign.
“For sure, I’m the freshest of the list, all the boys have made that pretty clear,” De Goey said. “The body feels really good and in a way I do feel like I do need to pay the rest of the team back. It’s such a long year and all the boys did such a fantastic job to be in the position they were in and if they weren’t winning I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did.”
Long Road Back
De Goey’s 2025 season was repeatedly interrupted. After suffering several soft-tissue injuries, he was then concussed in a training drill following a collision with Brayden Maynard. What was meant to be his first step back ended abruptly, forcing him into further recovery time.
He admitted it was a difficult stretch but stressed that both he and the club’s medical team made the conscious choice to take a conservative path.
“I put my hand up and said, ‘I wasn’t right and I didn’t want to keep putting myself out there when I am nowhere near my best, someone else is going to be able to fill that role,’” he explained.
“For us it was Lachie Sullivan, he come in and did an enormous job throughout the year. At the end of the day it is a team sport and I wasn’t ready to put myself in a position where I didn’t think I could do my best.”
Recalling the concussion incident with Maynard, he added: “Yeah, (the concussion was) not ideal, unfortunately that’s Brayden for you. That was my first drill back and he knocked me out straight away. I started wearing a helmet at training after that and avoided Brayden.”
Focus on the Now
De Goey has a reputation for delivering in September, with iconic performances in the 2018 and 2023 grand finals cementing his reputation as a big-game player. His crucial go-ahead goal in the 2023 decider remains a defining image for Magpies fans.
However, the 28-year-old insists that past heroics are no guarantee of future success.
“I think 2023, it feels like a while ago, now we’ve put that one behind us now,” he said. “Obviously, you do take some confidence out of that, being able to play in and win a grand final. A new team, new year, new focuses … (we’re) not really worrying about the past.”
It’s this mindset that underlines De Goey’s intent. He knows that his teammates toiled through the grind of the season, keeping Collingwood’s campaign on track while he watched from the sidelines. Now, with his body feeling as fresh as it has all year, he is determined to be the difference in September.
The Bigger Picture
For Collingwood, De Goey’s resurgence comes at exactly the right time. With a shot at back-to-back premierships on the line, his ability to impact matches as both a midfielder and a forward adds another layer of danger to an already formidable Magpies lineup. His presence frees up teammates, allows for more flexible rotations, and gives coach Craig McRae another weapon in what is shaping as a fierce battle against Brisbane.
De Goey’s candid admission of “owing” his team speaks to his evolving maturity. Once regarded as one of the AFL’s most enigmatic figures, his willingness to acknowledge responsibility and put team needs above individual accolades reflects a player who understands the collective nature of finals football.
The Magpies faithful know that when De Goey is at his explosive best, few in the league can match his power, speed, and game-breaking ability. With September football once again providing the stage, all eyes will be on whether he can deliver another moment worthy of his growing catalogue of finals memories.
For now, De Goey’s message is clear: he’s ready to give back. And if his performances mirror his words, Collingwood could be one step closer to another grand final triumph.
