COLLINGWOOD has followed a tried and true formula in selecting hard-at-it midfielder Jordan De Goey with its first choice in the NAB AFL Draft. De Goey will tread the same path as premiership players Steele Sidebottom and former Magpie Dale Thomas in joining Collingwood via their first pick immediately after a big performance in the TAC Cup Grand Final. De Goey kicked three goals in the Grand Final and provided the Oakleigh Chargers with a spark when the game was up for grabs, helping the team led by fellow Magpie Darcy Moore – who was chosen at No.9 as a father-son selection – to the premiership. Thomas was best on ground in the 2005 TAC Cup Grand Final and Sidebottom kicked 11 goals in the 2008 decider. A first touch midfielder, De Goey is versatile to play in defence and up forward and has been compared to North Melbournes Jack Ziebell. He also brings to the Magpies the kicking skills that were sometimes lacking in 2014 and increases their midfield depth after they lost Dayne Beams during the trade period. Although recruiter Derek Hine played his cards close to his chest up until he called De Goeys name, he did concede that having being able to select a tall in Moore had been a consideration in determining who they chose at No.5. De Goey has just finished year 12 at St Kevins College but impressed at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 15 possessions per game. The Magpies will be hoping De Goey can follow a similar path to Thomas, Sidebottom or Beams and play senior football on the flanks in his first season before progressing to the midfield as he matures. He was wearing the famous No.35 jumper just minutes after his name was called out with the Magpies allocating Simon Prestigiacomo and Peter Daicoss number to their first draft pick each season.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 10:44:42 +0000
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