Collingwood coach Craig McRae has branded Jordan De Goey a “real weapon” at centre bounces, as the Magpies prepare to step outside their comfort zone in a blockbuster clash against Geelong next weekend.
The Magpies have made an unbeaten start to the season, toppling St Kilda and, on Saturday at the MCG, the Crows by 42 points, but face a major test against the Cats, a premiership contender beaten by Sydney on Friday night.
“This is the game, isn’t it? You can get comfortable for a little bit of the time but then, obviously, we are playing the Cats who, they didn’t play that well last night [Friday], but before that, they were really explosive and have a lot of experience,” McRae said.
Jordan De Goey, right, in action against the Crows. Credit:Getty Images
“It’s just another challenge, isn’t it? I think we are on a journey. I don’t think we will be defined by our first six weeks, we will be defined by bigger than that. Next week is just an opportunity to challenge that against a really good opposition.”
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The Magpies handled the Crows’ high-possession game plan, designed to nullify the Pies’ new “chaos” style, as Scott Pendlebury has dubbed it.
Collingwood had an even spread of contributors. Jack Crisp, the Daicos brothers and Pendlebury found plenty of the ball through halfback and the midfield, while Taylor Adams finished the contest on the bench with a migraine but was superb at the clearances on a day when the Crows won this battle.
De Goey, arguably best afield against the Saints last week, was instrumental in the Magpies’ seven-goal third term, which all but confirmed victory. He started the afternoon at the opening centre bounce, pushed forward at times and finished overall with 25 disposals, six clearances (four in the third term) and a goal – and strengthened his case for a new contract.
“Jordy is starting to really stand out at the centre bounces. He has become a real weapon for us, particularly in that third quarter when it was all around centre bounces, and got some territory from those things,” McRae said.
McRae backs De Goey as Magpies prepare for blockbuster showdown
Source: Philippines Alive
