Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey is in a rich vein of form.
While young star Nick Daicos is rightly receiving a lot of praise, De Goey has also starred in the black and white this season.
Currently sitting fifth in the AFL coaches' votes while missing one game due to illness, De Goey is standing up for the Magpies in the midfield as the dynamic star averages 24.2 disposals, 1.4 goals and six clearances a game.
Looking back at the gun’s recent performances in games of high importance in front of big crowds, Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne thinks De Goey could be the competition’s standout in so-called big games.
“I just wanted to touch on him in a couple of different aspects,” Hoyne told SEN Sportsday.
“I've been thinking about this for probably the last 12 months, in what he's actually done from a footy sense and his record in big matches is almost second to none in the competition now.
“It just got me thinking whether or not he has actually become the best big game performer in the competition.
“Yes, (Nick) Daicos got the medal yesterday (against Essendon), but we had him (De Goey) as the highest-rated player on the ground.
“You think of his Semi-Final (against Fremantle) last year, number one rated player on the ground.
“You think of his Qualifying Final last year (against Geelong), number one rated player on the ground.
“You think of the big game Round 1 against Geelong this year, top-five rated player on the ground.
“You think of Melbourne last year in Round 21, 80-odd thousand there, fourth-highest rated player on the ground.
“In those matches, those are those big, big games, he's averaging 24 disposals, he's kicked nine goals in those five matches and been involved in 48 scores in those five matches.”
While Daicos was unanimously voted the Anzac Day medallist with his two late goals and 40 disposals incredibly impactful, Hoyne believes De Goey’s outing was right up there and pondered whether he’s taken the mantle from Richmond’s Dustin Martin as the best when the lights shine brightest.
“I'm sitting there yesterday and at three-quarter time, I think, ‘Who's actually going to win the medal? It's actually really hard to sort of come up with someone’,” Hoyne said.
“When De Goey had kicked two goals, had 20-plus disposals and been involved in nine scores, I thought he was the main reason as to why Collingwood actually weren't further behind at three-quarter time.
“It got me thinking - Dustin (Martin) has been probably the best big game performer the majority of us have seen for a long time - but whether or not Jordan De Goey has actually taken over the reins now.
“I think he just needs a bit of recognition.”
After returning from illness to face the Dons, De Goey will hope to continue his good form when the Magpies head to Adelaide to face the Crows on Sunday evening.