Collingwood star Jordan De Goey was crucial in his side’s Semi-Final win over Fremantle on Saturday.
The midfielder had 24 disposals, kicked a goal, had two goal assists and had 12 score involvements in a dynamic performance.
With his big game following up a strong showing in Collingwood’s week one finals loss to Geelong, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes says De Goey’s “maximum damage” game style is “built for finals”.
“He was clearly the best player on the ground,” Cornes said on AFL.com.au’s The Round So Far.
“I thought he was with Darcy Moore their best last week as well.
“He’s built for finals in terms of the way that his body is physically built as well as the role he plays – that clearance beast to set up forward touches – he’s maximum damage per touch.
“A couple of times he brushed off (Andrew) Brayshaw and he brushed off (Jordan) Clark with a big don’t argue.”
After a difficult home and away season that saw him get caught up in an off-field incident in Bali, Cornes has been impressed with how De Goey has gone to a “new level” in the back half of the campaign.
“This is the area of his game that’s gone to a new level, he’s bought in defensively as well and then you get the ball use,” Cornes explained.
“It’s been a tumultuous year for him and I’ve been quite critical, but he’s come to play in the back half of the year and he’s rejuvenated himself and the side.
“Let’s see if he can do it again in a big Prelim Final and perhaps a Grand Final this year.”
The 26-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season but thankfully for Collingwood fans, looks set to continue his career in black and white according to the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph.
“For Collingwood, Jordan De Goey is likely to sign a four-year deal,” Ralph said on Fox Footy.
“That’s with a two-year performance-based trigger.”
De Goey will be hoping to put in another big performance when the Magpies face the Swans in a Preliminary Final showdown next Saturday at the SCG.