SUPERSTAR AFL midfielder Jordan De Goey has knocked back an approach from St Kilda to re-sign with Collingwood on a five-year deal.
The 26-year-old was considering a move away from the Magpies after negotiations stalled because of the club’s determination to insert behavioural clauses in his new contract.
But the parties reached a compromise, with such clauses reportedly only in the first two years of his new deal.
“We’re delighted Jordan has agreed to extend his contract to stay at Collingwood,” Magpies football manager Graham Wright said in a statement.
“Jordan is a talented footballer, and his commitment to improve his game has seen him perform strongly this year, particularly during the back-end of the season and during the finals series, where he was exciting to watch.
“We feel Jordan’s best football is in front of him and, as a club, we will continue to support him as he grows as a player and as a person.”
De Goey, who was also in the sights of Essendon, has played 137 games for the Magpies.
His stocks rose with a rousing finish to the 2022 season, with De Goey starring in Collingwood’s narrow qualifying-final loss to premiers Geelong and then their semi-final win over Fremantle.
De Goey was well-held in their one-point preliminary-final loss to Sydney.
Off-field misdemeanours had threatened his career over the last 12 months.
In June, Collingwood gave De Goey a $25,000 suspended fine and he apologised for “disrespectful” conduct while partying in Bali.
Footage had emerged on social media of De Goey, who was given permission by the club to travel to Bali on his mid-season break, making crude gestures while at a nightclub.
The fine was suspended through to the end of the season and dependent on good behaviour.
De Goey also agreed to “undertake further behavioural education” in addition to an existing counselling program, but avoided any playing suspension.
The Magpies subsequently put contract talks with De Goey on hold until the end of the season.
De Goey said he was diagnosed with ADHD last year and was “trying to become more aware” of why he made mistakes.
The Bali incident came after De Goey was stood down by Collingwood last October when he was arrested for a drunken incident at a New York nightclub.
(C) AAP 2022
