Jordan De Goey not entertaining new contract yet as he works to repay Collingwood’s faith
HE’S back and playing good footy. And he’s a wanted man. But the manager of emerging Magpie Jordan De Goey says his client isn’t interested in talking turkey just yet.
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JORDAN De Goey will postpone contract talks until mid-year to concentrate on football rather than the rivals interested in his services.
His manager Ben Niall told the Herald Sun De Goey’s only priorities were playing good football and repaying Collingwood’s faith.
De Goey was desperate for a controversy-free year where he emerged as an elite midfielder, which would have secured him a significant contract rise.
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Instead he is only just returning to the senior team after an internal ban for a drink-drive charge and a hamstring strain which sidelined him for a month.
Clubs including St Kilda have inquired about his availability given he fits the modern midfield package — a tough inside midfielder who can also kick goals as a half-forward.
But Niall made it clear discussions about rival interest was distracting and irrelevant, given De Goey’s desire to prove himself to the Pies.
“He has just got his head down and is working his butt off sustaining his behavioural changes. He is working really hard and wants to play really good footy and win back the respect of his teammates. That is all he is doing. Everything else is irrelevant.”
De Goey is aware he needs to contribute months of consistent football for the Pies but also strong off-field behaviour to show he has changed.
He continues to work with Salvation Army, has committed to a booze ban and either takes public transport or gets a lift with teammates to training given he is banned from driving.
“We are not entering any conversations. We are putting everything off until at least mid-year and maybe until the end of the year,” Niall said.
“The more good footy he plays the more confidence people (at Collingwood) will have in his sustained behavioural change and those talents translating to production.
“He wants to dot every I and cross every T and the rest will take care of itself. He wants to repay the club and his teammates for the faith they have shown in him.”
Collingwood has made clear De Goey is on his last chance after an earlier incident including lying about breaking his hand in a pub fight.
He has built a strong mentorship with assistant coach Gary Hocking, has overhauled his training habits and is working with club psychologists on ingraining those behaviours.
ESSENDON’S James Stewart will soon sign a two-year contract extension after blossoming as a tall forward at the Bombers.
His manager Peter Jess is negotiating a deal with the Bombers, with neither party too far apart on the contract.
Stewart this week told the Herald Sun he was keen to get the contract done.
“There has been a bit of dialogue with the club at the moment which is really positive and it’s heading in the right direction,’’ he said.
“There are a lot of games to play out this year but I would love to get something wrapped up so I can be an Essendon player for many more years. I am hoping that can happen sooner rather than later.”
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