De Goey recovers from slow start to summer ahead of potential Wangaratta return

One came back below peak fitness, while the other was struck by glandular fever but Collingwood stars Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson are beginning to ramp up their training in a bid to be in the Pies’ Round 1 side.

Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson give the Pies two genuine matchwinners in the forwardline. Picture: AAP

Collingwood pair Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson will ramp up their Round 1 preparation with Marsh Series minutes against Richmond if they can get through training this week.

The Pies will have five players in Friday’s Bushfire relief game but are aware of the need to also play a strong side in Wangaratta with only two Marsh Community Series games before a Round 1 encounter against the Western Bulldogs.

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Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson give the Pies two genuine matchwinners in the forwardline. Picture: AAP

De Goey had a slow start to the summer and Stephenson was hit with glandular fever that curtailed his involvement in training.

On the day Chris Mayne’s brilliant resurgence was recognised with a one-year contract extension, the Pies felt optimistic De Goey and Stephenson were almost ready for senior action.

Senior assistant Robert Harvey told the Herald Sun De Goey was rapidly making up for lost time after only ramping up his training post-Christmas.

“Hopefully they will get through training at the back end of the week and if they can get some minutes on Sunday that would be handy. They still have to get through that work,” he said.

“Clearly you would like (De Goey) to have done more of the work but there is still time.

“He has put in a great block in the last three weeks so since Christmas where he was racing time a bit more, he has had a good block. He is ready to go, there are no concerns there and Stevo with his glandular fever has come back really well.”

De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson could play this weekend in the pre-season clash with Richmond. Picture: AAP

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South Australian Brodie Grundy and Tasmanian Jeremy Howe will play for the All Stars on Friday night against Victorians Darcy Moore, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom.

Last week Harvey suggested that side to take on Richmond would include the likes of Jamie Elliott, Jordan Roughead and Tom Phillips, rested against the Blues in an Ikon Park practice match.

Mayne’s form reversal might be one of footy’s most astonishing stories, signed to a four-year deal and with coach Nathan Buckley admitting they considered paying out his contract after a horror first season.

Instead after three seasons of that deal he was yesterday handed an extra season until the end of 2021.

While he will play for less than the $500,000 a season he was earning, it is a legitimate contract extension rather than a deal that saves the Pies massive salary cap room by spreading out his deal over two more seasons.

“I'm really pleased to have another year to share in the Collingwood experience," Mayne said.

"The journey so far has been tremendously rewarding, personally and professionally. There have been a few twists in the tale but so much to be grateful for and the faith we have shown in each other makes me very proud."

Pies list boss Ned Guy said Mayne had made himself indispensable at the Pies.

"Chris is an example to all of his teammates of what dedication, discipline and football smarts can achieve. He is also a fantastic clubman who people thrive around," Guy said.

"He helps our team tick and for that his teammates and coaches value him highly. An extension is appropriate recognition of that."

Originally published as De Goey recovers from slow start to summer ahead of potential Wangaratta return