De Goey the difference as Pies smother Cats

Jordan De Goey made the most of his opportunity the AFL had given him and he was more than a hiccup for Geelong.

Jordan De Goey celebrates a goal for the Magpies as Collingwood triumphed over Geelong at Optus Stadium in Perth Picture: Getty Images

It’s not often Bruce McAvaney mucks up the moment.

When Jordan de Goey marked and kicked the game’s first goal, which set the foundation for an imposing Collingwood victory, McAvaney had the microphone.

“He’s had an OK year so far and then he’s had a hiccup, we know,’’ he said.

It was a curious description, hiccup. Charged for an offence on a woman, it prompted debate about whether de Goey should even be playing.

Clearly, de Goey wanted to make the most of his opportunity the AFL had given him and, after missing last week, he was more than a hiccup for Geelong.

He kicked two goals in the first half – and five for the game – to punctuate what arguably was the most irrepressible defensive half executed by a team this year.

It shouldn’t have surprised because Collingwood is easily the best defensive team in the competition.

They strangled and denied the Cats, the highest scoring team this year, and the win surely propelled the Pies to equal premiership favourites with Port Adelaide.

At half-time, the score was 4.4 to 1.3. At full-time, it was 8.9 to 5.5

The second half was a slogfest in the wet, heavy conditions, which, it has to be said, doesn’t make it an attractive contest when a defensive mindset underpins both these teams.

It’s why de Goey’s goals in the first half were critical.

With Mason Cox taken out of the team before the bounce, de Goey returned to be a permanent forward, where he had created the narrative of being the game’s next $1 million player.

Bruce was right, de Goey has only had an OK year. On Thursday night it changed. He was lively, brilliant, he presented always and his work rate seemed high.

That’s Collingwood’s single most important pillar – work rate.

It encompasses defence and pressure, and when you have a midfield of Brodie Grundy (16 disposals, 46 hit outs), Scott Pendlebury (24 disposals), Adam Treloar (34), Taylor Adams (21) and wingmen last night, Tom Phillips (20) and Chris Mayne (16), Collingwood are close to the complete team.

At least, it was close to the complete performance.

Collingwood’s pressure to half-time was recorded at 221, which is Grand Final- like.

The Cats went at 190, which was admirable, because they lost their midfield warrior, Joel Selwood, in the first quarter.

If you’re in a gang fight, you certainly need your skipper.

Geelong never gave up, but at the same time, Collingwood played the more dangerous and threatening football for the majority of the match.

At three-quarter time, the Pies led by 14 points.

When Gary Rohan kicked the first goal of the last quarter, to reduce the margin to eight points, an unlikely and inspiring victory loomed for Geelong.

They just couldn’t overcome, however.

Because of one reason mainly – Jordan De Goey.

After Rohan’s goal, de Goey prowled the back of a boundary throw in – after a Mark Blicavs dropped mark – and soccered a goal from 20m with seven minutes to play.

“He’s looked sharp all night,’’ McAvaney said. He was right.

When Cam Guthrie kicked another goal, to make it 10 points the difference, de Goey once again killed the Cats.

A contested mark and goal was the sealer.

He was the most influential player in regards to the scoreboard and in a eight-goal to five-goal result, that probably makes him best afield.

When he kicked his fifth, after a gather and twirl near the boundary line with seconds to play, his night was complete.

So, what does coach Nathan Buckley do? Put him back into the midfield where he’s been solid, or leave forward where he was and can be devastating.

You’ve got like the latter prospect.

The Pies midfield, mind you, was dominant,

Treloar’s ability to find the ball at the contest is unique and while some are critical of his use, his smarts to take ground quickly, especially in a match where yardage was important, are wrongly ignored. Grundy, too, was masterclass.

The Pies were cleaner, defensively strong and, of course, had de Goey.

Geelong only had 31 entries so opportunities were scarce, and they lost Selwood and Jordan Clark (shoulder), so that didn’t help

The Pies had 46 inside 50s and missed opportunities.

In a night of statements, de Goey and Collingwood were supreme.

Herald Sun