Thriving on the wagon

Magpies’ De Goey turns his life around

AFL: Collingwood young gun Jordan De Goey feels ready to reap the ultimate AFL reward, having implemented a booze ban on himself and made several changes to turn his life around after a drink-driving conviction.

De Goey’s career was at the crossroads earlier this year when he was essentially put on his final warning by the Magpies and copped a series of club-imposed punishments.

The 22-year-old has been on the wagon since and signed a contract extension in July.

The forward has hit careerbest form at the pointy end of the season, booting a combined nine goals during this finals series and will be one of Collingwood’s most potent threats in today’s grand final.

“I’ve been off the booze the whole year,” De Goey said on the eve of the decider.

“It hasn’t been too bad for me. I just keep myself out of situations where it could potentially happen.

“I’ve made a few changes in my life that have helped me.

“Just probably my attitude towards training and preparation, I’ve fixed a few things and become more professional in other areas ... it’s a matter of continuing it for the rest of my career.”

The club was stuck in the difficult position of trying to give De Goey both a clip and a cuddle after the pre-season indiscretion, wanting to ensure his immense talent wasn’t wasted.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley called former Geelong star Steve Johnson for advice.

Buckley wanted to know how the penny dropped for Johnson, who drunkenly injured himself climbing over a fence before the 2007 season.

Johnson, now an assistant coach at Sydney, went on to win three premierships with Geelong in a 293-game career.

“He said the most significant thing was the fact that his teammates were the ones that had taken the lead,” Buckley recalled earlier this year.

The Pies made it clear de Goey’s behaviour and social habits were unacceptable, forcing him to train with their VFL side until he convinced “his peers and coaches that meaningful change has occurred”.

De Goey returned in round four of the AFL season. Now he is in the mix to collect a premiership and Norm Smith Medal, the same reward that Johnson enjoyed in 2007.

“I love the big stage, it’s going to be pretty intense, as all finals are,” De Goey said.