Magpies coach Craig McRae has stated Collingwood is "the best place for Jordy De Goey" as the star midfielder and the club now turn their attention to contract talks for 2023.
De Goey's ongoing discussions with the Pies have now reached a critical juncture, with Collingwood bowing out of finals through an agonising one-point preliminary final loss to Sydney on Saturday.
The defeat was the cessation of a drama and success-filled maiden campaign as a senior coach for McRae, who will now be looking to work with football boss Graham Wright to aid the club's list plans for 2023 and beyond.
The largest looming personnel matter is the future of De Goey, who remains unsigned for next season and able to exercise his rights as a free agent for next month's sign and trade window.
St Kilda, Essendon and Geelong have emerged as keen suitors for the polarising Magpies onballer, however the Cats are touted to be out of the race.
Despite the external interest, De Goey is seen most likely to remain in black and white from next year, with McRae hopeful discussions between the 26-year-old and the club are "progressing in the right direction".
“I grabbed his manager and said 'mate, let’s get to work on this',” he said.
“I’ve openly said that I want Jordy at our footy club next year. I don’t know how that’s progressing, hopefully it's progressing in the right direction.
"Not because it’s Jordy De Goey, but because I just think this environment is the best place for Jordy De Goey.
"That’s going to take its course in the next few weeks now.”
Collingwood have enjoyed a strong season of retention signings, with key defender Darcy Moore inking a six-year deal earlier this year to turn his back on rival interest.
Moore is one of 14 Magpies players to have recommitted to the club in 2022, a list that includes Brayden Maynard, Isaac Quaynor, Josh Daicos, Jamie Elliott and Jack Ginnivan.
One signature that is yet to settle is that of young forward Ollie Henry, with the 20-year-old believed to be weighing up his future amid interest from Geelong.
The seemingly imminent arrival of Dan McStay from Brisbane looks likely to further push Henry back in McRae's key-forward pecking order, while the Pies are also in the mix to land Crows tall Billy Frampton, Giants forward Bobby Hill and Suns midfielder Brayden Fiorini.
A busy off-season at Olympic Park may hinge on the potential departure of ruckman Brodie Grundy, who has been tied with a move to Melbourne that would alleviate up to $1 million in salary cap space at Collingwood for the next five years.
With their season now drawn to a close, decisions from De Goey, Henry and Grundy could come as early as Monday.
