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“They desperately need him”: Cornes’ Collingwood concerns if De Goey misses season start
Lachlan Geleit • February 20th, 2025 11:49 am
Collingwood star Jordan De Goey could miss the start of the 2025 AFL season, according to The Age’s Pete Ryan.
While the Magpies haven’t ruled De Goey out from their Opening Round clash against GWS, the club is taking a cautious approach with the 28-year-old’s fitness after he suffered bone bruising to his knee two weeks ago.
Even though the midfielder is back in full training, Collingwood won’t rush De Goey after he suffered multiple soft tissue injuries last season which led to the star going on an off-season trip to Doha to get his body right for 2025.
With three games across 12 days to start the AFL season for the Magpies, SEN’s Kane Cornes thinks that the Pies will be desperate to get De Goey going early given how critical he is to Collingwood’s midfield make-up.
“Jordan De Goey according to Pete Ryan in The Age could be the latest start to miss the start of the season as he races against time to be fit to take on the Giants,” Cornes told SEN Sportsday.
“They've got three games in 12 days, so they're going to take a cautious approach, according to Pete.
“He's had a groin and abdominal problem throughout last season and he was interrupted last year.
“Clearly, he is so important, this is an obvious statement, but they are a small midfield.
“(Scott) Pendlebury doesn't go in the midfield much anymore, (Nick) Daicos is small, (Tom) Mitchell is small. De Goey is the powerful midfielder that Collingwood desperately need.”
Having starred in the 2023 premiership with a dominant finals series, Cornes thinks that De Goey again holds the keys to the Magpies’ flag hopes in 2025.
“They desperately need him up and going to win the premiership,” Cornes said.
“If he's not, they can't win it without a fit and firing All-Australian level - not that he's ever been All-Australian in his career - Jordan De Goey.
“They would understand that. The club has said that he's been committed to getting his body right in the off-season, to ensure he's prepared.”
Collingwood begins their season with an Opening Round clash against GWS at ENGIE Stadium on Sunday, March 9.
