Collingwood has ‘absolute trust’ in Jordan De Goey over extended break

Collingwood coach Craig McRae reveals what the club’s plans are for suspended star Jordan De Goey over his lengthened break.

Former Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy will face his old teammates for the first time in the King’s Birthday clash. Picture: Michael Klein

Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is likely to be given an extended break from the club as he serves a three-match suspension and has the full trust of coach Craig McRae despite his chequered past.

McRae says the club will not seek to impose parameters on how De Goey can spend his time off after the 27-year-old landed himself in hot water on overseas trips to New York and Bali in late 2021 and the mid-season break last year.

De Goey was handed a three-week ban for his high bump on West Coast youngster Elijah Hewett in Perth, with his coach saying the “flip side” of the suspension was the powerful midfielder could complete a rigorous block of training when he returns from his holiday.

McRae said the star’s training block at the same time in 2022 contributed towards his best form of the season in the Magpies’ run home, with De Goey a standout in the first two finals.

“Jordy is going to have some time away from the club potentially and then we get back to work,” he said.

Craig McRae says he has ‘absolute trust’ in Jordan De Goey, who will not be advised against travelling overseas on his break. Picture: Paul Kane / Getty Images

“I saw last year Jordan with a bit of a spell and then a mini pre-season really spiked come September time, so we’ll be hoping for something similar.”

When asked if De Goey’s movements would be restricted by the club on his break, McRae said: “I’ve got absolute trust in Jordy.”

He hinted he was disappointed with the pointed West Australian coverage of De Goey’s bump on Hewett but said he would not comment on West Coast’s unusual social media posts in connection to the incident and tribunal appearance.

“Like I said after the game, our attention goes to young Hewett and hopefully he’s fine,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s any winners in this, I think the headlines looked a little bit like there’s a win for someone, but we don’t look at it that way.”

McRae says Patrick Lipinski’s running power and ball use makes him an automatic selection in the senior side once he is deemed fit to play. Picture: Mark Stewart

McRae said it would be impossible to replace De Goey, but the Magpies would regain several important players for the King’s Birthday clash, with key forward Dan McStay “definitely available” to return from his finger injury.

Jamie Elliott would be assessed later in the week after missing the Eagles game with a shoulder concern, while Will Hoskin-Elliott had pulled up well from an ankle complaint in the game, but Beau McCreery was “touch and go” after his own ankle injury, McRae said.

He said Patrick Lipinski would come straight back into the Magpies side if deemed fit to play his first game of the season following shoulder surgery.

“(Lipinski) has actually done more work in the last month than he did in the full pre-season, which is exciting for us – he’s our best runner,” McRae said.

“He’s in our best 22 – he’s so important the way he transitions. I thought he was the best kick inside 50 we had, so when he goes down in pre-season there’s a cost of that, and I’ve been excited to get him back.”

Originally published as Collingwood has ‘absolute trust’ in Jordan De Goey over extended break