AFL: Collingwood coach Craig McRae praises free agent Jordan De Goey

Rookie Collingwood coach Craig McRae wants the Magpies to re-sign a big-name free agent on a long-term deal.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae would love Jordan De Goey to stick around for the long term. Picture: Getty Images

Rookie Collingwood coach Craig McRae wants the Magpies to re-sign big-name free agent Jordan De Goey on a long-term deal, assuming everything goes to plan from here.

McRae promised his players in the pre-season he would not engage in contract commentary and declined on Thursday to provide an update on the De Goey negotiations or whether he wanted the deal done soon.

But the 26-year-old’s 27-disposal, two-goal round 1 performance in Collingwood’s 17-point victory over St Kilda only heightened the intrigue in his contract status.

De Goey has also made a strong impression on McRae, who replaced Nathan Buckley at the Pies’ helm in the off-season.

“I just love what Jordy’s bringing to our group,” he said.

“I’m new to this role and haven’t seen Jordy this close and personal, if you like, until now and I just love what he brings within our four walls – but, also, he just makes us a better team.

First-year Pies coach Craig McRae is keen for Jordan De Goey to stick around for the long term. Picture: Getty Images

“So, if he can continue to improve as a player and then do what he’s doing, he’s certainly someone we’d love to have on board long term.”

McRae’s comments add to the optimism that De Goey, who was briefly banished from the club after a late-night incident in New York, will turn his back on rival interest to pledge his future to the black and white.

The first-year coach has already had plenty on his plate after Collingwood copped criticism for the players’ on-field celebrations after beating the Saints.

But McRae not only defended his group, particularly six-gamer Jack Ginnivan, who was front and centre in a club-produced video package, but said the Magpies discussed rewarding the fans pre-match.

“We made a really conscious effort to celebrate with our fans,” he said.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae had no problem with Jack Ginnivan’s post-match conduct against the Saints. Picture: Getty Images

“We spoke about it a couple of days before we even knew what the result could be.

“The fans have gone through a fair bit the last couple of years – not just our club – but they pay for a membership and never came to a game, so we’re really conscious of what that could look like.

“We spoke about staying out on the field a little bit longer than maybe you would during previous times, to give back to our fans.”

Collingwood will make at least one change from its season-opening victory, with McRae confirming Mason Cox won’t face Adelaide on Saturday.

Cox suffered a sprained ankle in the final minutes of last Friday night’s 17-point win over St Kilda and has failed to adequately recover.

Collingwood forward Mason Cox is out of Saturday’s clash with Adelaide because of an ankle injury. Picture: Getty Images

The American Pie’s absence means ex-Cat Nathan Kreuger will make his Collingwood debut after struggling for senior opportunities at Geelong.

Will Hoskin-Elliott could also be in the mix for selection.

The Crows’ clash looms as an interesting early gauge of the Magpies’ form, given they will be favoured to move to 2-0 at the MCG.

“It’s a hard competition. I think the bottom line is that we’ve got to be able to embrace every contest that comes, wherever we play and whoever we play,” McRae said.

“We had a good performance (against St Kilda), but we‘ve got to back it up and repeat those behaviours.

“At the moment it’s not a pattern of behaviour … it’s just a performance we’re pretty happy with.”

Originally published as AFL: Collingwood coach Craig McRae praises free agent Jordan De Goey