Jordan De Goey trade talk doesn’t worry Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has welcomed the spotlight on out-of-contract star Jordan De Goey — as long as it’s for the “right reasons”.

Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey celebrates his goal. Picture: Michael Klein

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has welcomed the spotlight on out-of-contract star Jordan De Goey — as long as it’s for the “right reasons”.

De Goey is believed to be high on the wish list of rival clubs including St Kilda and North Melbourne and his value is rising fast as he hits a hot streak of form that has delivered 12 goals in the past three weeks.

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Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark said on the SuperFooty podcast that rivals could offer the 22-year-old more than $850,000 a year to lure him away from the Magpies.

De Goey has kicked a goal in every game since returning in Round 4 from a club suspension after being was caught drink-driving.

“The fact is Jordy’s going really well and there’s issues outside that with his contract,” Buckley said on SEN on Tuesday.

“You’d think he’s the only uncontracted player in the competition — he’s not. He’s not the only uncontracted player in the Collingwood. But it’s his time in the spotlight and that’s a good thing because it’s for the right reasons, and we hope that continues.

“I’m not going to play him down, but I’m very happy for him to go about his business the way he has because it’s working for him and it’s working for us.”

Jordan De Goey celebrates one of his six goals against St Kilda.

Buckley said he had planned to play De Goey in the midfield but “personnel issues” meant he was spending more time up forward.

He still there were still plenty of areas for improvement for the former No.5 draft pick.

“Everyone’s looking for a catalystic moment … the fact is that Jordy’s kicked a bag of five and a bag of six in the last three weeks and has played some pretty good footy.

“This is all growth for him. This is part of becoming the player you want to be.

“All of the other stuff is really background noise.

“He’s focused on improving himself as a footballer, we’re focused on giving him the best opportunity to do that.

“We can’t be anything but impressed the way he’s carrying himself and that’s a shift, that’s a positive shift.”

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