AFL 2021: Mason Wood joins St Kilda after Kangaroos delisting

St Kilda has boosted its goalkicking depth for 2021, after signing an unwanted North Melbourne spearhead to one of its vacant list spots.

Jordan De Goey had come back in good shape before his mishap.

Former North Melbourne forward Mason Wood has secured an AFL lifeline at St Kilda.

Wood has been training with the Saints since mid-January and has now landed one of the club’s vacant list spots as part of the pre-season supplemental selection period.

The ex-Roo will wear the No.32 for St Kilda this season.

Wood, 27, played 65 games and kicked 76 goals in seven seasons for North Melbourne before being delisted at the end of the 2020 season.

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Mason Wood has been picked up by St Kilda for 2021. Picture: Getty Images

St Kilda’s head of list management James Gallagher said Wood would help add depth to the Saints forward stocks.

“Once the dust had settled post-draft, we identified that adding depth to our forward line was something that was probably the priority, if the right person were available,” Gallagher said.

“We invited Mason to training about three weeks ago, and in the short time he’s been here, he’s gelled really nicely with our group, impressed all with his attitude and performances at training, and he shows a real determination to have another crack at senior level.

“We’re really happy to be able to offer him a position on our list.”

The Saints still have two remaining spots on their list, which the club can fill before Round 1 or at the mid-season draft, or keep vacant for 2021.

De Goey’s standout pre-season halted by injury

— Nick Smart

Collingwood star Jordan De Goey says he now has the fitness base to push for a more permanent midfield spot in 2021.

De Goey pulled up sore after an intraclub match on Monday and scans revealed an abdominal strain, with the Magpies saying he’ll miss at least a week of training.

The 24-year-old said ‘it was not ideal’ but it would not stop him from taking part in the Magpies’ season opener against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on March 19.

“I’m fine, I just hurt a little bit of a muscle in my stomach,” said De Goey, who was at Phillip Island on Tuesday as a part of a Monster Energy partnership.

“It’s obviously not ideal, but in the scheme of things it’s not too bad at all.

“I’m definitely on track for Round 1.”

He has floated between the midfield and the forward line in recent seasons, but he had his sights set on spending more time in the middle this season.

De Goey pulled up sore after an intraclub match on Monday.

“I definitely want to get into the midfield,” he said.

“I think it just gives me a greater opportunity to help the team as obviously you’re around the ball more often.

“It was just depending on my fitness and I’ve come back in really good shape.”

De Goey has looked noticeably strong on the track during the pre-season.

He said he was at the same weight as last season, but had been taken better care of himself over summer.

De Goey was at Phillip Island on Tuesday as a part of a Monster Energy partnership.

“It probably helps not going away in the off-season,” he said,

“Usually I put on a couple of kilograms there, so to stay in Melbourne was really good and allowed me to focus on my footy.

“I’m just making sure I’m putting the time and effort into my body and just getting the best out of myself.

“That’s the only difference.”

Last year was a frustrating one for De Goey, who missed large chunks of the season through injury.

“I obviously had that good game against Geelong where I hurt my finger,” he said.

“I kind of felt like I was hitting my straps and then I had nine weeks off, but that’s footy and it is what it is.

“The only thing I can do is look forward.

“The off-season has been a good indication of how I’ve been travelling and the first few sessions I have been doing really well.”

Originally published as AFL 2021: Mason Wood joins St Kilda after Kangaroos delisting