‘Sell high’: Collingwood told to trade star away while he still has value

Collingwood have been told to get aggressive during the AFL’s Trade Period as a bombshell rumour emerges around one star.

Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos of the Magpies during Collingwoods training session on July 27, 2023, at Olympic Park, Melbourne. Photo by Michael Klein.

Collingwood have been told they should be ruthless at the trade table and look to move on a star player while he still has value.

Kane Cornes believes the club need to look at making a splash by putting Jordan De Goey in the conversation for a blockbuster trade.

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The 29-year-old has endured an injury plagued last two seasons at the club, playing in only 24 combined games.

De Goey was at his best in the club’s qualifying final win over Adelaide, but was well below that level in the preliminary final loss against eventual premiers Brisbane.

Cornes believes clubs need to start getting on the front foot during the AFL’s Trade Period and get more ruthless instead of holding onto stars who may be past their prime.

“I love the prospect of them putting him (De Goey) up for trade in a subtle way,” Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.

“I just think he’s clearly past his best, he doesn’t play often - 24 games in the last two years - he’s about to turn 30 by Round 1 next year. He doesn’t influence games often enough for the reputation that he’s got.

“If there’s a club out there that is going to give you really good assets to get him - sell high and sell whilst he’s about to hit the decline. It’s not going to happen, I get it, he’s contracted, he doesn’t want to go, Collingwood are in the window.

Brody Mihocek has departed and Kane Cornes says the club should trade out Kordan De Goey as well. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

“But this is where I think clubs can be a bit more aggressive and a bit more ruthless. People hate this, but if this was American football the coach would see the writing on the wall with his athletic decline.

“Cooper Kupp is the best example. Kupp is the wide receiver from the LA Rams who won everything - the Super Bowl, Super Bowl MVP - unbelievable and unstoppable. The minute they saw a slight decline and injuries banking up they trade him out.

“We’re just not ruthless enough to do it.”

Sam Edmund said whispers had been circulating surrounding De Goey and a potential switch to join the Saints.

“There’s been enough whispering around, but nothing factual - I cannot stress that enough - but enough whispering around for a few journos to make a few calls,” he said.

“There was a rumoured sighting that St Kilda had been seen having a coffee with Jordan De Goey and it made it all the way back to Jordy himself. He laughed it off and said ’nah, that hasn’t happened’”.

Cornes however said if he were to look for a new club, it would need to be one in the premiership window in the next year or two and St Kilda doesn’t fit that time frame.

“He’s not the right player for the Saints. The Saints aren’t looking to win it in the next 12 months.

“His only right play is to a Hawthorn type or an Adelaide type club that thinks they can win it next year or the year after like Gold Coast or Sydney.

“He’s not the right fit for the Saints.”

The AFL Trade Period officially comes to an end on the evening of October 15.