‘He knows what he’s capable of in the finals’: De Goey factor to boost the Magpies

3 weeks ago 15

Premiership midfielder Jordan De Goey’s return to form has the Magpies optimistic he could become a real weapon in their quest for the 2025 flag, with their first final at a hostile Adelaide Oval next Thursday night.

In just his ninth match for the season, the 29-year-old was influential in the Magpies’ comeback win over Melbourne that handed them a top-four spot.

Magpies coach Craig McRae said the midfielder had returned to “beast mode” with a season-high 26 touches and a goal.

Jordan De Goey provides the X-factor that separates teams in finals.

The performance gave his skipper Darcy Moore renewed confidence heading into a qualifying final against the top-of-the-table Crows at Adelaide Oval, a venue that “holds no fears” for the Magpies.

“He had a great game last week, which sets him up really well for a massive final series,” Moore said.

“We know, and he knows what he’s capable of in the finals, so we’re looking forward to him delivering.”

De Goey has been a brilliant performer in two grand finals with Collingwood. He kicked a famous goal in the 2023 grand final to regain the lead deep into time-on in a classic encounter against the Brisbane Lions. He also kicked three goals in the 2018 grand final.

Moore said his teammate’s effort to regain fitness and form had been enormous.

“He’s really had to do it the hard way this season. He’s had a lot of setbacks – he hasn’t had any real continuity in the team, and he’s had to work super hard basically from January, at the start of the year, to get back,” Moore explained.

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The big-game performer had not been close to his best until last week as he battled an Achilles issue throughout the season.

The Magpies put De Goey on a graduated training program, and he returned with just four matches remaining in the home-and-away season.

He was subbed out in his first match back and then built his game time before his explosive power from stoppage and endurance returned in round 24.

Moore acknowledged Howe’s importance to the team, but said the backline had been forced to re-adjust on the run several times in 2025 and Collingwood still finished the season with the fewest points conceded.

The premiership skipper said they had been more focused on improving their connection going inside 50 ahead of the Crows clash as he spoke in a defiant manner ahead of the game.

“We’ve got huge belief in what we do. [Travelling to] Adelaide holds absolutely no fears for us,” Moore said.

“I don’t have any interest in how much pressure is on Adelaide or isn’t. Our focus is very much on us and what we’re going to achieve.”

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