No sign of Father Time for new dad De Goey

It's only early days, but it would appear fatherhood suits Collingwood star Jordan De Goey.

The 2023 premiership player, who, along with partner, Aisha, welcomed baby Tatum into the world during the off-season, was a standout for the Magpies in Friday's match simulation loss to Greater Western Sydney at Latrobe University, Bundoora (in Melbourne's north east).

Looking supremely fit, 29-year-old De Goey was running on top of the ground and his class shone.

He did plenty of damage in the midfield, and when swung forward, De Goey kicked one goal and was the architect of several others.

Speaking post-game, Collingwood assistant coach, Matthew Boyd, said De Goey hasn't missed a beat during the summer.
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"It's the best pre-season he's had for quite a few years," Boyd said.

"To see the power he's got come to the fore so early in the season is exciting for us.

"The challenge will be for us to keep him out on the park and for him to keep playing with that power."

De Goey was taken from the field after half-time, with the club managing his workload.

McCreery the mid

Riding shotgun with De Goey in the midfield for much of the first half was half-forward Beau McCreery.

He was influential early on, winning plenty of the ball and causing chaos with the pressure he has become renowned for.

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McCreery's pre-season has been far from faultless, with the 24-year-old undergoing foot surgery after carrying an issue through Collingwood's 2025 finals campaign.

"He looked really sharp, and it was always planned that he would play about a half of footy, which is what he got through today," said Boyd.

A new-look Pies midfield

McCreery and De Goey, along with former captain Scott Pendlebury, were the veterans in the midfield among a pack of less-exposed players.
With Darcy Cameron absent, former Sydney Swan Jack Buller spent time in the ruck, as did Oscar Steene, while Ed Allan, mature-age SANFL draftee Angus Anderson and first-year player Tyan Prindable all went through the midfield.

Anderson was impressive. He looks like he loves a scrap, and, combined with his work rate, he looks sure to win over the faithful. Don't be surprised if he lines up in the Pies' Opening Round clash against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on March 8.

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"Yeah, it was a new look, and it was exciting," Boyd commented.

"It's really exciting for the footy club to be able to expose some of our younger players to significant midfield time today, which is what they got.

"I really liked some of the things we saw from some of those guys; all three (Allan, Anderson and Prindable) showed really positive traits."

‘Clarry' off to fast start in new colours

Veteran midfielder Clayton Oliver was arguably best afield for the Giants. Lining up in no.10 for his new side, the 28-year-old ran himself into the ground and was often involved in chains from half-back.

Oliver – a four-time Keith ‘Bluey' Truscott Medal winner at Melbourne – looks fit and healthy and, most importantly, happy.
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Given the shocking ACL injury to Tom Green, Oliver is going to need to do much of the heavy lifting in the contest, which is what he thrives on.

GWS count injury toll

It's been a horror off-season on the injury front for the Giants, and it looks as if it may get worse. With Tom Green, Josh Kelly, Toby Bedford, Sam Taylor, Darcy Jones and Finn Callaghan already in the casualty ward, GWS will be sweating on assessments for Kieren Briggs (leg), Callum Brown (ankle), Brent Daniels (Hamstring), Jack Buckley (leg) and Cody Angove (hamstring).

The Giants take on the Hawks in an Opening Round clash at Engie Stadium on March 7.

Summary

After a tight four-quarter contest, the Giants prevailed 17.8.110 to 11.9.75.

Briggs kicked three goals for the winners, while back-up ruck-forward, Nick Madden, chimed in with three. For the Pies, Jamie Elliott, Roan Steele and Allan each booted two goals.

Both teams were without several big names, with the Magpies missing Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos, Cameron, Darcy Moore, Lachie Schultz and Jeremy Howe. The Giants didn't have Kelly, Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene, Lachie Ash, Jones, Taylor, Callaghan, Kelly, Bedford and Stephen Coniglio.