Jordan De Goey says he plans to stay at Collingwood next year
Collingwood star Jordan De Goey says his love for the game has never been greater and doesn’t feel any added expectations to perform as he reveals where he plans to play next season.
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Jordan De Goey plans to remain at Collingwood next season despite a contract year that is complicated by the coronavirus crisis.
De Goey spoke publicly for the first time this season on Friday, saying that Collingwood is “where I want to be” in Round 1 next year.
In an interview with Fox Footy’s AFL Tonight, De Goey admitted he had come back overweight at the start of summer but said it allowed him to refresh over the break.
The dangerous Pies small forward said his love for the game had never been more strong as Collingwood started its season against the Western Bulldogs in Round 1.
Asked if he expected to see himself at Collingwood in Round 1 next year, he replied: “Yes, definitely. That is where I want to be. I am really enjoying the club, I have loved the club for so long but my job is to go out and perform. I have to go out and show that I am capable of doing it,” he said.
“To be honest (the contract focus) doesn’t affect the season at all. I have expectations on myself and the club has expectations on me to perform too. It’s no different to any other year, there might be some media speculation which comes with contract years but my goal is to go out there and help our team win.”
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Salary cap boss Ken Wood has told clubs they cannot lodge contracts at present amid uncertainty over the future salary cap, with De Goey ideally set on a long-term multimillion-dollar deal.
It means the Pies couldn’t officially secure him or fellow out-of-contract star Darcy Moore even if they wanted to and yet De Goey says coronavirus won’t affect his contract.
“Not really. This is kind of a freak incident that has occurred so I haven’t thought its changed too much or my outlook on footy but as I am getting older my love for the game is so strong at the moment.
De Goey admitted that his skin-folds might have been high when he returned from the off-season but said he needed to enjoy himself over summer to keep mentally fresh.
“Personally, off-season is for players to enjoy. I may have come back a little overweight but my love for the game is higher than it’s ever been. I need the freedom in the off-season to rejuvenate and do the things I love doing and enjoy life. It does mean I come back slightly overweight that’s OK because I am loving my footy more than I ever have.”
Originally published as Jordan De Goey says he plans to stay at Collingwood next year