Collingwood lost its first game since Round 9 on the weekend to Sydney and now needs a win in the final round of the season to guarantee a top four position.
Craig McRae’s side suffered a 27-point loss to the Swans on Sunday at the SCG in a clash where the Magpies threatened a comeback for much of the second half that didn’t eventuate.
With the margin 23 points at three quarter time, Collingwood has made a theme of final quarter comebacks in recent victories, but couldn’t pull it off on this occasion.
David King isn’t concerned the loss could halt the club’s immense momentum.
“Eventually someone was going to get them, you can’t keep winning like that,” King told SEN’s Whateley
“But what he (McRae) has been able to do is give a club an opportunity to still finish top four, it’s been an unbelievable ride this year, so there’s no reason why they can’t gather and go again next week.”
But discussing why the Pies’ couldn’t dominate the final quarter on the scoreboard, King threw up the absence of Jordan De Goey as a reason.
De Goey was a late out with a hip flexor issue ahead of Sunday’s match after two strong games since returning from a quad injury.
He’d averaged 24 disposals, seven clearances, 4.5 inside 50s and 1.5 goals in the last fortnight, but Collingwood missed his “spark” against the Swans.
“What it (the loss) does do, it highlights what life’s like without De Goey,” King stated.
“When you just needed that one spark on the weekend it wasn’t there, when you haven’t got that player (it becomes more difficult).
“He goes where the problem is. Getting beaten in the midfield? Put De Goey in. He’ll go in and it’s all rip, tear and bust, it’s a classier version of Jake Stringer. He’s their Shai Bolton.
“Going well again? Slip him forward after the center bounce, so just be careful what you wish for with De Goey is my advice if you’re Collingwood.”
It led to King urging the Magpies to hold onto midfielder-forward. The club put off contract talks with the 26-year-old earlier in the year after an off-field incident and he’s understood to have drawn interest from St Kilda.
He doesn’t have a deal for 2023.
“I wouldn’t be rushing him out the door because you need him, this group needs Jordan De Goey,” King continued.
“If they’re to have success in the next two or three years, he’s not just a part of it, he’s a major driver.
“I know he might cost a bit more and there’s going to be some late nights where you’re going to think, ‘I hope the phone doesn’t ring’, and some off-season occasions when you think, ‘Gee, where is he?’
“But on game day, those two hours, when he’s not there as opposed to when he is, they’re poles apart.”
Collingwood requires a win against Carlton in the final round of the home and away season to lock in a double chance in the finals series.
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