Stephen HollyJordanDe Goey has put a difficult summer behind him to help Collingwood kick off their new era under Craig McRae with a 17-point victory over St Kilda in the AFL’s first round.
De Goey, who was jailed in New York during the offseason for a nightclub altercation, was booed from the bleachers whenever he approached the ball on Friday night.
However, the dynamic star let his football speak for itself, amassing 27 disposals and five clearances, as well as two crucial second-half goals, for a total of three.
It was a critical contribution in McRae’s debut game in command, a 15.12 (102) to 12.13 (85) triumph at Docklands.
During the third quarter, Collingwood surrendered a 35-point advantage as mature-age debutant Jack Hayes inspired a St. Kilda comeback.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jade Gresham put the Saints ahead with a goal from the back of the pack, marking his return from a long injury layoff.
However, the Magpies regained their composure and gained breathing room when De Goey intercepted a smooth ball from superb defender Darcy Moore and kicked his second major midway through the final quarter.
Nick Daicos, a father-son draft pick, and Patrick Lipinski, a fellow Collingwood new kid, also excelled, while Jeremy Howe returned to his high-flying best in defence, rejecting a succession of opposition raids.
Daicos, who wore the number 35 of his renowned father Peter, got off to a slow start when his turnover allowed Mason Wood to score the game’s first goal, but he quickly settled down and finished with 27 disposals in a solid debut.
Mason Cox did not have a disposal in the first term while wearing his new glasses, and he was nursing injured ribs in the second following an off-the-ball knock from Dougal Howard.
Taylor Adams was knocked unconscious by a powerful wood bump, and other melees erupted during the match.
Hayes, a former SANFL standout, made his debut for St Kilda by kicking three goals and taking four contested marks.
Tim Membrey scored three goals for the Saints, who were led by captain Jack Steele (28 disposals) and Brad Crouch (27).
Gresham (24) scored two goals in his first game since the third round of last season.
