Jordan de Goey signs contract extension to keep him at Collingwood until 2020

RISING Collingwood star Jordan de Goey has made good on his promise to stay loyal to the Pies, signing a two-year extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2020 season.

Jordan de Goey has kept his promise, signing a two-year extension with Collingwood. Picture: AAP

REFORMED bad boy Jordan De Goey left millions of dollars on the table to pledge his loyalty to Collingwood until 2020.

De Goey today re-signed on a two-year deal worth between $1.5-$1.6 million, as revealed by the Herald Sun on Friday.

The 22-year-old admitted he was “flattered” by the interest in him by clubs, as North Melbourne offered $5 million over five years.

FREE AGENTS: THIS YEAR’S IN-DEMAND STARS

EXAMPLE: KELLY SHOWS DE GOEY THE WAY

Jordan de Goey has kept his promise, signing a two-year extension with Collingwood. Picture: AAP

Collingwood’s tough love paid massive dividends this year as a player suspended for drink-driving returned to play career-best footy then commit to the Pies.

What shaped as a challenging assignment for new list manager Ned Guy has instead seen him sign De Goey, Jayden Stephenson, Jeremy Howe, Ben Reid and Matthew Scharenberg.

Next on the list are 2018 revelation Josh Thomas as well as high-profile pair Jamie Elliott and Darcy Moore, the latter due back in the VFL next week.

Elliott is holding off talks until he can return to the senior team while Moore wants to stay but is being courted by Sydney.

The Swans have interest but must first re-sign Jake Lloyd, Sam Naismith, Heath Grundy and Aliir Aliir before assessing their cap space.

Collingwood is second on the ladder, with Richmond and the Pies the top two sides for the first time since Round 12, 1977.

The Pies’ attention now turns to Darcy Moore, with Sydney circling. Picture: Michael Klein

De Goey’s two-year contract brokered by manager Ben Niall will allow him to sign a bumper deal at the peak of his powers at the age of 24.

But all players are aware their careers can be short-lived as a result of injury, which makes his decision all the more remarkable.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to remain at Collingwood and grateful to the people who have helped me find my way,” De Goey said.

“I’m happy to have a club and some fantastic people around me that I can rely on, trust and enjoy life with. And there is clearly something building at Collingwood that I want to share in.

“The interest from elsewhere was flattering and I hope I dealt with those enquiries respectfully. I’ll now continue to push to improve, to get the best out of myself and those around me.”

North Melbourne great Wayne Carey said De Goey had made the right move for his future, dodging massive expectations at the Roos.

“Two years is perfect. It would have been irresponsible of the Kangaroos to give him $1 million,’’ he told Triple M.

“If would only have taken De Goey going to the Kangaroos and getting a little niggle. He’s getting paid $1 million.

“Whether you like it or not players would be saying this bloke is getting $1 million, he’s injured, he hasn’t even played a game. The pressure that puts on you is enormous.

“He is a very talented footballer and if he lives up to that the money is going to be there.”

He said the managers of Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell and Shaun Higgins should ask for more money given the Roos’ cap space.

Collingwood at times over the past decade has been distracted by contract issues centring on coach Mick Malthouse and high-profile forward Travis Cloke.

This year it has shut out all those external distractions, winning six straight games and 10 of the past 12 contests.

Collingwood’s surging form has also helped enliven a stuttering season, with TV networks reporting strong recent ratings in games including the Carlton-Collingwood clash.

“Jordy wants to be as good as he can possibly be. He said a number of times in the discussions we had over his new contract that he wants to keep improving and making the right calls, to take on more responsibility,” Guy said.

“It’s obviously pleasing and rewarding for a lot of people at Collingwood who have invested a great deal in ‘Jordy’ that he wants to realise his ambitions at Collingwood, which he sees as his football home.”