Why De Goey was subject of calls during trade period

Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has lifted the lid on rumours of a potential trade fuelled across the 2025 Trade Period.

Over the course of the official window, De Goey’s name was frequently floated, with several reports indicating that the 29-year-old would be open to a move away from the Magpies.

With several clubs reportedly willing to entertain a deal, it was reported that both De Goey and Collingwood would be open to accepting a deal if the appropriate terms were met.

However, speaking out for the first time since the rumours commenced, De Goey has stated that at no stage was a trade considered by either party, with his sights firmly set on remaining a Magpie for the foreseeable future.

“I was actually in Bali with my partner,” De Goey told SEN’s The Run Home.

“I didn’t really hear a lot of it. Heard a few little whispers here and there, and I think after ‘Cornesy’ (Kane Cornes) came out and said I’d be a good trade target, the thing just grew legs and started running.

“After that, it was on for young and old, but for us, we maintained the same answer the whole time.

“We were happy at Collingwood, nothing seems to be changing from our end, and the club were exactly the same.”

While the rumours were nothing more than speculation, they were enough to spark genuine interest from rival clubs, with manager Ryan Vague receiving numerous calls throughout the trade period.

“My manager started getting calls,” De Goey revealed.

“For ‘Leppa’ (Justin Leppitsch, Collingwood list manager), he was like, ‘is this happening? Are you going to other clubs?’ We were like, ‘nah, none of this is happening! This is just the rumour mill’.

“Once a few people start talking, everyone starts talking.”

At 29 years of age and with a baby on the way, De Goey is more than settled at the Pies, and while he does admit that he was open to hearing offers, the premiership Pie cannot see himself representing another club for the remainder of his AFL career.

“To be honest, I’m 29 now. I’m not stupid, I think every player on a list is available for the right price, or if the club is going to get something good out of it,” he said.

“For me, I know that’s the way the industry is going; you’ve got to be open to stuff like that happening because it’s happening so much these days. We just saw in the recent trade period, some of the players that were tossed around.

“For me, my whole footy journey, you’re always open to offers and everything like that. You’d be silly not to. But in this case, I’m quite happy at Collingwood.

“I don’t really see my future anywhere else, especially at this particular time.”