De Goey fit and ready as Collingwood face Bulldogs in wildcard final
Jordan De Goey has declared himself fit and ready to deliver his explosive best for Collingwood in their wildcard clash with the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, as the Magpies prepare for finals without injured leaders Scott Pendlebury and Brayden Maynard.
The 30-year-old, who has been one of Collingwood's most consistent performers this season, told reporters he is eager to make an impact after a productive home-and-away campaign. "It's probably the most consistent (I've played) over a long period of time and I'm just happy to be injury-free," De Goey said. "My body's feeling really good and I just feel like I can contribute to the team, which I haven't done for a long period of time."
De Goey partially credits his form to becoming a father, after he and partner Aisha welcomed their first daughter in December. "It's funny. All of a sudden your footy goes up and everyone thinks it's dad life," he said. "But yeah, I think it definitely helps. I'm quite settled, I have been for a long period of time, but having a little one is an outlet outside of football that I really enjoy."
Magpies face tough road without leaders
Collingwood's path to the grand final is a demanding one, with teams required to win four cut-throat finals to reach the last day in September. The Magpies enter the postseason having managed just one win and a draw over the final month of the home-and-away season, finishing in ninth spot.
The absence of Pendlebury and Maynard adds to the challenge, but De Goey remains confident in the squad's ability to navigate the pressure. He pointed to the experience of the 2023 premiership players as a key factor, believing they know what it takes to succeed in high-stakes matches.
De Goey's fitness and form
De Goey acknowledged the physical toll of the season, revealing bruising around his left eye after requiring stitches from a heavy knock in a marking contest during last week's defeat to Brisbane. "The modelling career's put on hold unfortunately, but the ribs are all good," he joked. "The elbow took most of the brunt and other than that I'm feeling quite good."
The star ball-winner has been a reliable contributor throughout the season, and his ability to perform on the big stage will be crucial for Collingwood as they aim to extend their finals campaign. Despite the setbacks, De Goey's focus remains on delivering a strong performance against the Bulldogs and keeping the Magpies' premiership hopes alive.