Craig McRae refuses to put a timeline on return of Jordan De Goey

Pies fans can be forgiven for wanting their best 23 on the park as soon as possible to lock in a top-two spot, but Craig McRae won’t be rushing a return for two of their key stars.

Brayden May

@braydenjmay

4 min read

July 28, 2025 - 9:27AM

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Collingwood coach Craig McRae has refused to put a timeline on Jordan De Goey’s potential AFL return.

De Goey, who has played just five games this season, made his anticipated return from injury via the VFL on Saturday night after battling Achilles inflammation and concussion since his last AFL appearance in Round 9.

He was one of two star attractions at Frankston alongside Bobby Hill who had missed several weeks due to personal reasons.

But McRae said there was no planned path forward for De Goey as he declared the Pies are managing their players as well as ever during his coaching tenure.

“I’m not sure, we’ll wait and see,” McRae said when pressed about De Goey’s possible AFL return.

“It’s about continuous training now having missed so much footy. I don’t want to make a big statement but I did like some of the stuff we saw.

“He’s a handy player to get back this time of year, isn’t he?”

De Goey and Hill both played about 70 per cent game time in Collingwood’s loss to the Dolphins as McRae watched on from the comfort of home.

“There were moments of Bobby doing his thing and Jordy the same,” he said.

“It’s important to get out there and get some cob webs out. The game time was the big one. We’ll just have to wait and see how they pull up.

“It was a good step forward.”

De Goey made a return to the playing field on Saturday.

McRae said there were no major concerns for veteran midfielder Scott Pendlebury who was a late withdrawal from the 36-point win over Richmond on Sunday.

The 2023 premiership coach revealed the 37-year-old suffered a knock at training during the week.

“Didn’t think much of it and pulled up pretty sore the next day,” McRae said.

“Came in got some treatment and it didn’t improve enough. A guy like him that knows his body like no one else just come to me and said I’m not quite sure I’ve got 100 per cent here.

“That allowed us to do some things to have it ready for next week. He just didn’t quite get there.”

The Pies lost the versatile Lachie Sullivan in the third term against Richmond to what McRae said appears to be a PCL injury.

He was substituted out immediately and replaced by Oleg Markov who was the late inclusion for Pendlebury.

“Scans will determine how long. We’ll just wait and see before making too many comments around it,” McRae said.

STOP THE COUNT: BREATHTAKING DAICOS STUNS AT THE ‘G

Nick Daicos wearing the Brownlow Medal around his neck is a step closer to reality.

The Collingwood superstar was at his brilliant best as a third quarter Magpies surge set up a 36-point win over Richmond on Sunday afternoon.

Daicos is likely to have earned another three votes from the umpires as he finished with 42 disposals and an equal career-high three goals against the inexperienced Tigers.

He was a class above anyone else on the field and the signs were ominous from the opening minutes when the realisation set in there was no direct tag from Richmond coach Adem Yze.

Nick Daicos kicks his third against the Tigers

“I put a bit of grippo on and the ball didn’t leave my hand after that,” Daicos told Fox Footy post-match when asked about his cleanliness in the wet conditions.

His third goal was the pick of the lot as Daicos ran towards his boundary and kicked truly on his left foot.

It was the third time in his 89-game career he’s had more than 30 touches and kicked three goals.

Daicos celebrates with the Collingwood faithful. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

A CONTROVERSIAL CALL

Collingwood fans were furious when a free kick was awarded against Harry Perryman in the second term after a huge fly from Steely Green. As Perryman stood his ground looking to protect space, Green leapt onto the Pies defender and dropped what would have been a brilliant mark. The umpire awarded Green a free for a block, a decision which was met with a chorus of boos from the black and white army. Perryman might have been fortunate to have not given away a 50m penalty after a half-hearted point to the scoreboard where he could be heard saying “look” in discussions with the umpire.

BOUNDARY BRILLIANCE

In wet conditions during the first quarter, Brody Mihocek produced a moment of magic to kick one of the more impressive goals of the season. After a one-two with Patrick Lipinski as Tigers opponents swarmed near the boundary, off one step, the clever Pie kicked a low piercing ball through for a goal. Recalled Richmond forward Green produced his only brilliant goal to start the second half when his right foot drop punt sailed through from the boundary line as a challenger to Mihocek for goal of the day.

Nathan Broad spoils Magpie Jamie Elliott. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

SORE SULLIVAN

Lachie Sullivan who is one of several Magpies fighting for their place in the side was substituted out of the game with a knee injury in the third quarter. It’s a blow for the 27-year-old who had played the last six games. The Pies also made a late change before the game with a sore Scott Pendlebury rested with Oleg Markov called into the side. Richmond had its own woes when Tim Taranto withdrew with calf tightness around 20 minutes before the game.