Jordan De Goey talks thrilling GWS win, how he’s changed since 2018 GF

Jordan De Goey is a very different player now compared to the one that lit up the 2018 decider against the Eagles, and the Magpie says he and his team are ready to find redemption.

The 2018 AFL Premiership Grand Final. Collingwood Magpies v West Coast Eagles at the MCG. A dejected Collingwood's Jordan De Goey post match. Picture: Mark Stewart

Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey has dubbed Saturday’s decider “redemption time” as the brilliant midfielder prepares to right the wrongs of the 2018 grand final defeat.

De Goey told this masthead on Sunday he could not be better prepared for the contest given form and fitness in a game where the Lions could throw Josh Dunkley onto the preliminary final hero.

So much has transpired for De Goey since that 2018 contest where he kicked two goals but had opponent Jeremy McGovern intercept mark to kickstart the winning passage of play capped by Dom Sheed’s miracle goal.

GWS captain Toby Greene tried his own Sheed-style match-winner against Collingwood in the preliminary final but this time Steele Sidebottom marked the ball just inside the goal line.

Medium forward De Goey’s finals series was mighty in 2018 but he is now a rampaging midfielder capable of turning games from the centre square.

De Goey was sensational in the Pies’ prelim final win. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Life is good. This is what you dream about, grand finals,” he said.

“And the best thing for me is it’s redemption time. A second opportunity.

“I know exactly what to expect so we have to make the most of it because grand finals don’t come around that often. You play footy for the ultimate success and its not enjoyable by yourself. It would be just as much for parents and family and friends as my premiership, and it’s what I am trying to achieve the most.”

De Goey was unstoppable with 34 possessions against GWS and untackle-able as he barnstormed through stoppages, but Collingwood’s last-quarter rotations stopped him in his tracks.

Unable to get back onto the ground for nearly 10 minutes in the last term, he finally sat back down in the final moments aware his destiny was in his teammates’ hands.

“At the start I was like what's going on here? Obviously the play was on the other side of the field so I had full confidence in the team to be able to do what they needed to do. We have been in that situation before and it would have been stupid bringing someone off to put me on.

“Once the realisation happened that I am not going back on, I kicked back and whatever happens happens. I put all my faith into the team.”

The Pies went down in heartbreaker in the 2018 decider. Picture: David Caird

A run of eight tightly packed stoppages as the Pies absorbed GWS advances allowed De Goey to proceed to his second AFL decider.

He said on Sunday he was a very different player and person to the version which nearly won an AFL premiership in 2018.

“I think I am a lot different to what I was before. Position-wise. Build-wise. Time definitely changes you. Now I am more of an inside player and the focus is on getting the ball to some of our ball users like Nick and Josh (Daicos).

“In terms of the role that has changed and it’s just age. You realise these opportunities don’t come very often and at that time I was quite young so I was thinking this is great. A bit of fun. Now you know the severity of it so you have to make the most of it.”

Originally published as Jordan De Goey talks thrilling GWS win, how he’s changed since 2018 GF