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Craig McRae says he wants Jordan De Goey to stay at Collingwood Magpies, Brayden Maynard, contract talks, latest, trade news, rumours, whispers, St Kilda Saints

Craig McRae says he wants Jordan De Goey to stay at Collingwood Magpies, Brayden Maynard, contract talks, latest, trade news, rumours, whispers, St Kilda Saints

Collingwood coach Craig McRae says he’d “love” Jordan De Goey to stay at the club beyond this season amid uncertainty around the star free agent’s future.

De Goey was influential with 25 disposals, 10 contested, one goal and nine clearances in the Magpies’ thrilling seven-point win over Melbourne on Friday night, a performance McRae believes was “his best game of the year.”

Collingwood pulled a $3.2 million contract offer to De Goey after his Bali exploits earlier this year and put off contract talks with the star midfielder/forward until season’s end as rival clubs including St Kilda circle.

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And speaking after the Pies’ 11th-straight win on Friday night, McRae hoped De Goey would recommit to the club.

McRae hopes De Goey stays at the Pies (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“He’s a free agent. That’s his right to explore his options. I speak authentically; I’d love Jordy to stay. I would,” the Magpies coach said.

“That’s going to create a headline but we’ll just live in the moment and let Jordy keep being himself in our environment and make us better. Nights like tonight are good examples of his assets from him that makes us better.

“I thought it was his best game for the year. I thought he was a star. I thought I genuinely flipped the game around clearance.

“We couldn’t get the ball out of center bounces, we got smashed in there again and he just had this shrug the shoulders and swagger to get out of traffic.”

It comes a week after De Goey was best-on-ground in Collingwood’s win over Port Adelaide after returning from a three-game absence with a quad issue.

Teammate and close friend Brayden Maynard also wanted to see the De Goey stay in the black and white beyond 2023.

“He’s not going anywhere, I’ll make sure of that. I haven’t had a chat with him about it, but I’m sure he’ll make the right call,” he told Fox Footy post-match.

“If we want to leave, then he leaves, but I’m in his ear at the moment. I just want what’s best for him, so just got to be with him.”

Collingwood Magpies press conference | 09:16

The 25-year old’s contact negotiations are one of several big ticket items for Collingwood to address ahead of an eventful off-season, with Brodie Grundy’s future also uncertain as the Pies have been linked to the likes of Dan McStay, Tim Taranto and Bobby Hill .

De Goey has averaged a career-best 21.1 disposals per contest this season and booted 15 goals from as many games as he plays for arguably the most significant contract extension of his career.

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt thinks De Goey staying at the Magpies on a shorter deal might be in his best interests to stay “on the edge” instead of taking up a more lucrative offer elsewhere.

“I think that’s what you weigh up and the situation that’s going to bring the best out of yourself,” he said on Fox Footy.

“If being on the edge and only having a two-year deal is going to mean you make really good decisions in terms of your career, then maybe that’s the best thing for him.

“Rather than just looking at big carrot financially and security, maybe playing on the edge might be the best alternative.”

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AFL world reacts after Collingwood defeats Melbourne, smashes Ed Langdon

AFL world reacts after Collingwood defeats Melbourne, smashes Ed Langdon

Collingwood has done the unthinkable, winning their 11th game straight in yet another thriller at the MCG.

The 15.6 (96) to 13.11 (89) result was yet another nailbiter for the 2022 Magpies, who have become the masters of the heart-stopping victory. The Pies have gone undefeated since round 9 and claimed eight of the streak for less than 10 points.

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The streak is the longest since the club’s 14-game run in 2011 but an absolute shock after a horrible season in 2021 – 17th-placed finish that saw Nathan Buckley’s tenure as coach end and significant boardroom upheaval.

What a difference a year makes.

Despite the close results, it’s clear it’s no fluke as the Magpies have firmed into premiership contention and now sit second on the AFL ladder, behind only Geelong on percentage — although the Cats play St Kilda on Saturday night for a chance to move a win ahead in the minor premiership race.

Speaking after the result, the Fox Footy team were blown away.

Demons great Garry Lyon said: “This football club, what they’re doing here now, it’s one for the ages, I can’t remember anything like it.”

Lions champion Jonathan Brown added: “The belief now, it’s become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The belief they’ve grown out of these close games, it’s no luck now. They train themselves and they believe in themselves in those situations late.”

Lyon said the result “doesn’t make sense”, as the Magpies were behind on disposals (409-316), contested possessions (161-139), clearances (52-32) and inside 50s (65-41) and yet still claimed the victory.

Fans were blown away by the result.

The Guardian’s Antoun Issa posted: “We are not pretenders. We’re the real deal.”

Presenter Nat Edwards wrote: “What a quacking final quarter of football from the Pies. Pressure out of this world.”

Radio presenter Andy Maher said: “You just gotta laugh, dip your lid and embrace the utter madness of it all.”

Nine’s Paddy Sweeney added: “This is off the charts. And if it’s a slice of what’s in store come finals, bring on September.”

Footy great Jude Bolton commented: “Sensational game of footy. Dug so deep once again the Pies. Huge win against the reigning Premiers. 11 in a row.”

Broadcaster Daniel Garb noted: “Collingwood’s pressure has been incredible. Seven of their last eight wins before tonight may have been narrow victories against bottom eight sides but they built up the most valuable thing in sport in that run – momentum.”

Journalist Jack Hudson added: “Heart, pressure and just raw hunger. Collingwood unbelievably impressive.”

Former footy star Robert Shaw posted: “Next level footy… Feet into 2nd spot.”

There was no shortage of spite during or after the match either as fans revealed in comments from Demons star Ed Langdon.

“They’re sort of all duck, no dinner in a sense. If they’re playing fast footy on their terms they’re a very hard team to stop,” Langdon said earlier in the week.

“They’re a bit of a one-trick pony at times, so hopefully we can dampen the way they want to play and off the back of that go out and offensively play the way we want to play.”

Ducks were all over the tweets after the game, while the players made sure they let Langdon know they’d heard his comments.

Pies came from everywhere after Brayden Maynard smashed Langdon early in the game.

“There’s his duck dinner right there,” commentator Luke Hodge said.

“They’ll come at him all night,” Brian Taylor added.

“It’ll be interesting to see how Langdon deals with that. He’s normally out on the wing… he’s going to be looking over his shoulder, ”Hodge said.

Speaking to Maynard after the match, he revealed the Pies had made it personal.

“We did use it as a source to look back on because I feel like Ed Langdon sometimes speaks in the media and doesn’t realize what he’s actually saying,” Maynard said. “When I got that first tackle on him, I let him know about it.”

This does not seem to be a Collingwood side you want to get on your bad side.

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There’s ‘no reason’ Collingwood can’t win the flag as shades of Baby Bombers emerge

There's 'no reason' Collingwood can't win the flag as shades of Baby Bombers emerge

There is “no reason” why Collingwood can’t win the 2022 premiership, according to David King, with the club even compared to the ‘Baby Bombers’ of 1993.

The Magpies are running hot on a 10-match winning streak to sit in third – just one win off top spot after 20 rounds.

And while the criticism has been that they’ve beaten 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th in that run of victories, there’s also been wins over Fremantle, Carlton and Melbourne.

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“You can say what you like about the numbers, the stats, the possessions,” King said on AFL360.

“They turn up for each other – this is building something quite special.

“There’s no reason why they can’t do it this year – we saw Chris Scott do it first year, we saw Rodney Eade make a grand finale his first year, (Luke) Beveridge and (John) Longmire win it in their second year – this is big, come with it.”

AFL360 co-host Mark Robinson laughed as he admitted: “I’m on the dark side already, I’m all in on Collingwood”.

“It might be the Baby Bombers of ’93 all over again,” he said.

Tim Watson with the 1993 premiership cup.Source: Supplied

The Essendon premiership side were dubbed Baby Bombers for having 12 players aged under 25 years in that winning team.

Against Port Adelaide last weekend, the Pies had 10 players under the age of 25, and two players currently aged 25.

King highlighted the fact Collingwood are outrunning their opponents as one of the best features of their game.

“I don’t know how you can just put a line through them,” he said.

“They are doing this better than the comp – they are gut running. Their running and power running is enabling them to end up with an extra number.

“Their run and link, kick forward, their demand for corridor we all see. But we don’t recognize their desire to just work harder than the opposition.

“This is a club in sync.”

King said every club needed a point of difference to win the AFL premiership.

It’s clear to see the love for coach Craig McRae. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Getty Images

“Maybe (Collingwood’s) is not in the stats, it’s on effort. It’s on a buy-in. (Craig McRae) may just be a special coach,” King said.

“What I do love is what they are doing for each other.”

Statistics show that the Pies share one similar trait with the premiers of the past two seasons – Melbourne and Richmond – and it’s their ranking for what they without the footy.

The Magpies are currently the best ranked team in the competition – like Melbourne were in 2021, while Richmond were ranked fourth when they took the flag in 2020.

Collingwood do have a tough run home with games to come against Melbourne, Sydney (away) and Carlton – who could be battling for finals by Round 23.

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Brodie Grundy Port Adelaide, Collingwood contract, Elliott Himmelberg Fremantle, Jordan De Goey St Kilda

Brodie Grundy Port Adelaide, Collingwood contract, Elliott Himmelberg Fremantle, Jordan De Goey St Kilda

Another rival club has been linked to Brodie Grundy, while St Kilda’s interest in his teammate hasn’t cooled.

Plus Fremantle is keeping tabs on a fringe Crow.

Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!

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NEW SUIT FOR PIES STAR

Port Adelaide has emerged as a suitor for Brodie Grundy should the star ruck wish to be traded at season’s end, reports 7NewsMelbourne.

Multiple reports have indicated Grundy’s management are preparing to be asked by Collingwood about the possibility of trading the dual All-Australian, even though he’s contracted to the club until the end of 2027 on a deal worth around $1 million per season.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae last week declared on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 he wanted Grundy at the club next season, but remained tight-lipped on whether he was up for trade.

The Giants reportedly have interest in Grundy – speculation that grew last month when Grundy’s manager was seen meeting with Giants football boss Jason McCartney, where the dual All-Australian’s future was reportedly discussed.

But 7NewsMelbourne reported the Power was also keeping tabs on Grundy’s situation.

McRae evasive on Grundy & De Goey trades | 01:54

“Port Adelaide is interested in where Grundy is going to end up and his trade status at the end of the year,” reporter Tom Browne told 7NewsMelbourne. “But at this stage the Power don’t see Grundy leaving Victoria

“If Grundy approves, Collingwood is expected to gauge his trade interest post-season.”

Power premiership player Kane Cornes last month flagged his old club as an appropriate destination for Grundy should he be prepared to move home, telling SEN Breakfast the Power could “absolutely use” Grundy and adding: “He’d fit in at Port Adelaide and take over from Scott Lycett.”

DOCKERS ‘IDENTIFY’ FRINGE CROW TO POSSIBLY FILL CHASM

Crows forward Elliott Himmelberg has been identified by Fremantle as a possible trade acquisition, reports SEN SA.

The Dockers are bracing to lose goalkicker Rory Lobb, who’s expected to request a trade at season’s end despite still being contracted to Freo.

Himmelberg, 24, kicked bags of four goals in Adelaide’s wins over the Power and Tigers earlier this season, but has struggled for senior game time this year with Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty the preferred key-position combination.

Subsequently, Fremantle is reportedly keeping tabs on Himmelberg, who’s kicked 38 goals from just 37 games since being taken with Pick 51 in the 2016 draft.

Busy off-season looms for the Dockers | 00:56

“Fremantle are putting together their list of how they overcome the issues of what they’ve got in attack, or don’t have in attack,” veteran journalist Michelangelo Rucci told SEN SA’s The Run Home.

“And the player that they’re identifying – I stress identifying, so they’re doing their due diligence – is Elliott Himmelberg at Adelaide. He’s out of contract, they think he’s the fit for them.

“We know he’s a tall player who can play forward and ruck – they want him as a forward. They desperately need to shore up their attack.

“He is growing with interest at Fremantle.”

SAINTS INSIST DE GOEY INTERESTED HASN’T COOLED

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten insists his club’s interest in Jordan De Goey hasn’t waned, even though the board has yet to approve a pursuit of the Collingwood free agent.

It was revealed earlier this week the Saints’ board had asked the football department for more information about De Goey, who’s out of contract at season’s end and eligible for free agency.

The Age reported the board wanted clarity around how De Goey would fit within the club’s playing list, as well as its leadership and values.

St Kilda Saints press conference | 06:25

But Ratten denied that it was a sign that the club had cooled on its pursuit of De Goey, saying it was perfectly normal for the board to ask questions about the star Magpie before potentially recruiting him.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re employing new staff members or players, we have to run things past the board and they have the right to challenge and ask questions and see where we’re at with it,” Ratten said.

“He’s very talented but we’re still working through that.”

Geelong has also been linked to De Goey.

— with NCA Newswire

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AFL: Star Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams to miss Magpies’ top-four push

AFL: Star Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams to miss Magpies' top-four push

Collingwood midfield star Taylor Adams will resume running this Friday having “had a sook” over the groin injury which he’s adamant won’t keep him out of this year’s finals.

Adams was subbed out of the Magpies’ six-point win over Port Adelaide at half-time last Saturday and subsequent scans confirmed he suffered a groin strain.

The 28-year-old said on Tuesday he was extremely disappointed when the initial prognosis was delivered with the Magpies on a 10-game winning streak and a chance to finish in the top four under first-year coach Craig McRae.

But he quickly focused on the “silver lining” which was the chance to return in time for the first final, aided by the pre-finals bye which should give him enough time to be ready to play.

“I’ve got all the sooking out of my system. It could be better but it could be far worse,” Adams told RSN.

“I’m seeing the silver lining. I will start running again on Friday and that will give me a really good lead in to make sure that I come back fit and strong and able to sustain a full game.

“You have to shift your mindset from a situation that’s not ideal to turning it into something which is really positive. I’ve been in this situation before .. you can either sook about it for four or five days or you can get over it and put a plan in place and get back to work.

“I’m in that headspace at the moment and I’m confident if I put the work in I’ll be right. I’ve got a plan in place now and I’ll get to work and get ready to come back.”

Adams had until now played every game this season bar two, missing the round 4 defeat to West Coast while in the AFL’s Covid protocols then sitting out the narrow round 18 win over Adelaide because of a concussion.

He is first at the club for contested possessions this season, second in tackles and inside 50s, third in groundball-gets and sixth in disposals, so he is a significant loss for Craig McRae’s team at a crucial juncture.

The Magpies have won 10 matches in a row, including seven by single-digit margins, to move into third place on the ladder with reigning premier Melbourne, in-form Sydney and Carlton to come.

Only eighth-placed St Kilda, which has three fewer victories, has a worse percentage than Collingwood’s 106.2, so it will likely need to win at least twice in the final three rounds to maintain a top-four spot.

There are reinforcements on the way, with Brodie Grundy (knee) successfully negotiating his VFL comeback on Saturday, while McRae said after the Power victory that he expected Brody Mihocek (hip) to be available.

The coach stopped short of guaranteeing Grundy’s return but he played almost a full match while amassing 11 disposals, 21 hit-outs and eight tackles.

Mason Cox will be the player to make way if Grundy is recalled, unless Mihocek fails to prove his fitness.

Defender Jeremy Howe (corked buttock) sat out most of the last quarter at the weekend but should be fine for Friday night’s clash with his old side the Demons.

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