Collingwood’s hopes for Jordan De Goey are centered on a potential return in “a few weeks,” as coach Craig McRae addressed concerns about a new injury affecting the star midfielder-forward. De Goey was rested during last Thursday’s match against Fremantle due to a tight schedule, and subsequent evaluations revealed he is suffering from another issue related to his Achilles tendon.
Ahead of the upcoming clash against Adelaide at the MCG, McRae noted that the club is taking a cautious approach with De Goey’s recovery. “We’re playing the long game with Jordy and we’ve said that right from the start,” he explained, indicating that while there is no immediate rush, the team’s aspiration is to have him fully fit for critical matches.
De Goey’s performance this season has been hindered by various injuries, including problems with his groin, abdomen, knee, and Achilles. McRae expressed frustration that just when they were pleased with De Goey’s training progress, an anomaly arose that led to the discovery of the new injury, which has affected his explosive playing style.
“We sought some external advice, and that revealed a fresh injury that explains some deficiencies in his game,” McRae elaborated. “We’re now shifting our focus, and he’s currently undergoing rehabilitation with the hope of a comeback in the near future.”
The club remains second on the ladder with seven wins and two losses, which adds to the urgency for De Goey’s return, as they aim for peak performance in the latter stages of the season.