Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey says he played hurt too often in 2024 but is ready for his 2025 debut

Jordan De Goey was a powerhouse for Collingwood when they won the 2023 AFL premiership, but he played hurt in 2024.

Collingwood star Jordan de Goey has revealed he felt like an “old man” as he battled injuries during his team’s failed premiership defence in 2024 but is pain free and bursting with excitement ahead of his 2025 debut on Friday.

De Goey managed just 13 games in 2024, the last coming in round 22, conceding he was never fully healthy, limited by a groin injury that held the normally powerful 28-year-old back.

But having taken the long route in his recovery, de Goey said he was “back to normal” and raring to go against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night.

“I’ve felt like a bit of an old man for the last year, so it’s good to be back pain-free and I’m looking forward to getting out there,” he said on Thursday.

“It’s just been the groin. It’s been a pretty big issue for me personally with day-to-day pain and stuff like that, which was frustrating, but I’ve just had to let it settle, build the muscles up around it and here we are now.”

Jordan De Goey is ready to go in a major boost for Collingwood. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Deciding to pull the pin on 2024 was one De Goey made having “put my hand up” to play too often while underdone.

“I put my hand up for a period of time there (to play diminished), and then it just got to a certain point where I felt as if I couldn’t perform for the team and there was going to be someone that would fill my role and do a better job,” he told SEN.

“So, at that point, I just had to decide to step back and do what was best for the team.”

His recovery was not without setbacks, but De Goey said he had done the work to have every confidence he could perform in his return.

“Obviously, that match fitness is a whole different ball game, so on the weekend I’ll work myself into the game and get my legs underneath me.

“But in terms of the fitness block I’ve done, for sure I’m ready. I’ve worked with Jarrod Wade the head of fitness. We built a plan at the start of the year, and we’ve managed to execute it even though I could have potentially got the call-up last week to play.

“But we made sure we did it properly and we waited a little bit longer to make sure I finished it.

“Overall, it’s been really good, so I’m excited just to get out there now.”

Originally published as Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey says he played hurt too often in 2024 but is ready for his 2025 debut