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The ‘competitive beast’ on the rise at Pies

Collingwood youngster Jordan De Goey has been named the Rising Star nominee for Round 20 following a hardened display in the club’s loss to Sydney.

De Goey registered 12 tackles to go with his 18 disposals, five inside 50s, and a goal as the Pies posted another honourable loss against the Swans on Friday night.

“I’ve done most of my work with Scott Pendlebury. We do running sessions, drills, stuff like that, and he’s constantly giving me advice out on the track, really urging me to back myself, which is encouraging.” – Jordan de goey

The first-year midfielder made his debut in Round 1 this season after being selected with pick No.5 in the 2014 national draft. That selection was traded to the Pies along with Jack Crisp from Brisbane in the deal which saw Dayne Beams become a Lion.

Playing 13 games so far in 2015, the 19-year-old has averaged 13 disposals and five tackles, showing an aptitude for contested situations.

Considered a big-game player, De Goey is good in close but can also venture forward and provide a goal-kicking presence as seen during last year’s TAC Cup Grand Final where he booted three majors for the Oakleigh Chargers.

De Goey represented Vic Metro in the Under-18 Championships last season, is strong in one-on-one contests, and good overhead for his size, prompting Collingwood teammate Darcy Moore, who played with de Goey during the TAC Cup, to refer to him as a “competitive beast”.

Speaking to aflplayers.com.au during the AFL Players Induction Camp in January, De Goey said he’d spent a lot of his first Collingwood pre-season working with one of the club’s best.

“I’ve done most of my work with Scott Pendlebury,” De Goey said.

“We do running sessions, drills, stuff like that, and he’s constantly giving me advice out on the track, really urging me to back myself, which is encouraging.

“He’s really reassured me to use my strengths, because the team is all about continuous improvement. He’s been my main influence since I got to the Pies.

“I just really want to learn and acquire as much knowledge as I can and try and put my best foot forward.”

De Goey is the Pies’ 34th Rising Star nominee since the award’s inception in 1993 but they are yet to register a winner.

Collingwood has received a nomination in each season since 1998 with De Goey following Tim Broomhead as the club’s second nominee in 2015.