Collingwood star Jordan De Goey credits overcoming his challenge-ridden lifestyle to changing friend groups as he prepares for his 200th AFL game.
The 30-year-old will reach the milestone when the Magpies seek a fifth straight win against the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
Jordan De Goey in action in June. AFL photo
It has been four years since De Goey last caused off-field controversy with his disturbing behavior at a nightclub in Bali, where he was filmed being “disrespectful” to a woman, Collingwood said in a statement at the time.
Just a few months ago, he pleaded guilty to second-degree stalking in connection with an incident in New York, which followed scandals such as the time he got into a bar fight in Melbourne and broke his arm.
He initially lied about how he got injured, telling Magpies bosses he had injured his hand while playing with his dog.
De Goey spoke about his maturation as a person in a candid interview with 9News Melbourne ahead of his marquee match.
“You meet people, you change friendship groups… and I think that was part of it for me,” De Goey said.
“It was kind of a learning experience and it probably took me a little longer than other people, but we got there in the end.”
De Goey and his partner Aisha Jade McKinnon welcomed their first child into the world in December last year.
They named their daughter Tatum Gray.
When asked about his father’s life in an interview with 9News, the Magpie star’s face lit up.
“This is unreal,” he smiled.
“Literally, it’s the best feeling in the world.
Jordan De Goey and Scott Pendlebury at Magpies training. Getty Images
“She can do whatever she wants or be whatever she wants and I will always support her.”
De Goya is contracted at Collingwood until the end of 2027 and he is reportedly in talks with the club about a possible re-signing.
When asked what the future held for him, he joked that he would be there for his teammate Scott Pendlebury’s playing record.
“I think I’ll play another 250, 300 games,” De Goey laughed.
“So, I’ll take over Scott’s recording and then we’ll move on.”