AFL grand final: Jordan De Goey dedicates premiership medal to grandmother with terminal cancer

Jordan De Goey has had a rollercoaster career to date, but dedicated his premiership medal on the greatest day of his life to a special individual near and dear to his heart.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 30: Jordan De Goey of the Magpies celebrates winning with the AFL Premiership Cup during the 2023 AFL Grand Final match between Collingwood Magpies and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 30, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

An emotional Jordan De Goey has dedicated his premiership medal to his grandmother Elisabeth who is fighting terminal cancer, and to his family, saying they had provided the inspiration for his remarkable 2023 season.

In the victorious Magpies room after the club’s four-point grand final win over Brisbane Lions, De Goey hugged his parents Roger and Lee and his sisters, and put the shiny new medal around the neck of his grandmother.

He described the victory as the “greatest moment” of his life after what had been at times a rollercoaster AFL career, but said sharing this moment with those closest to him had made all the hard work worthwhile.

De Goey had a challenging 2022 season highlighted by his mid-season trip to Bali which created headlines that impacted on his family.

The De Goey family celebrate the premiership.

Jordan De Goey and Craig McRae. Picture: Getty Images

But a decision to stick with Collingwood and knock back a lucrative offer from St Kilda late last year saw him reach his full potential in an outstanding 2023 season.

“It’s the best moment of my life, for sure,” De Goey said. “I have put in so much work to get here and so has everyone else on the team.

“We’ve all had our setbacks.”

De Goey, 27, fought back tears as he spoke about what his grandmother – who had made her way into the rooms in a wheelchair – meant to him, as well as the support his family has consistently provided him.

“Unfortunately, she has terminal cancer, so this will be the last game for her,” De Goey said. “That means the world to me to have her here.

“My grandfather was super influential in my career and unfortunately he passed away. So for me to be able to see (his grandmother) in the rooms is so special. This is a very special moment for my family.”

De Goey kicked a pivotal last quarter goal. Picture: Getty Images

De Goey, who kicked a crucial goal in the last quarter after being held early by Josh Dunkley, said the premiership medal was as much a reward for his family as for himself.

And he also thanked his brother-in-law and manager Ryan Vague for his continued support.

“It is kind of repaying the faith a bit,” he said. “Dad has been with me from the start (in his football journey) and the family rides the waves as much as you do.

“I can’t thank them enough.”

De Goey said he wants Saturday’s premiership to be seen as a start and not an end.

“For sure it is,” he said.

Originally published as AFL grand final: Jordan De Goey dedicates premiership medal to grandmother with terminal cancer