Rebuilt Jordan De Goey makes ‘startling admission’ about Collingwood

Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has dismissed any concerns about a pre-season setback.

The AFL bull was seen limping at training on Wednesday morning but De Goey has brushed it off as nothing but a knock and a bit of “carry-on”.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Collingwood star Jordan De Goey feeling like a ‘new athlete’.

“Yeah, I just got a knee on my knee,” the 28-year-old told 7NEWS.

“Probably a little bit of carry-on by me there but got it checked out, nothing to worry about, all sweet,” he said.

In fact, De Goey has told 7NEWS that he feels like a new athlete as he looks to put an injury-ruined season behind him.

Refreshed, rejuvenated and rebuilt, De Goey has now opened up on a year where he managed just 13 frustrating games as the Pies missed finals

“It’s good to be pain free in my daily life which is obviously exciting,” he told 7NEWS.

“I can do a lot more things, head’s good, body’s good and I’m just ready to attack the season.”

De Goey battled persistent groin injuries last year, but a November visit to world specialists in Doha has taught him how to run again.

“I think the biggest thing for me was just understanding my body. I was compensating for a lot of other things at the time and my running style was attributing to that and the pains I was having,” he told 7NEWS.

“It was just kind of fixing those smaller muscles to allow the muscles to relax and, in the same token, have some more bounce and poise in my running. At the moment I’m running on top of the ground.

“(I’m) pretty much a whole new athlete so I’ve spent a lot of time working on these intricate muscles and hopefully this year the fans can see i’m a different player.”

De Goey said playing in the Opening Round — when Collingwood takes on the GWS Giants at Engie Stadium — was “definitely on the cards” this year.

“I’ve just gotta keep putting my hand up and putting the work in and making sure the body’s ready to go. I don’t want it to be like last year where I was in for one and out for three, I really want to be consistent,” he said.

De Goey expects to mix between midfield and attack again this season, and he also delivered a pointed message which will undoubtedly be music to the ears of Magpie fans.

When asked ‘where do you see the group’ in 2025, he made what 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary called a “startling admission”.

“To be honest, our list is better than 2023,” De Goey said, referring to Collingwood’s premiership year.

“But for us, the proof’s in the pudding, we’ve gotta go out and get early wins and really put our name on the top of the ladder.”

Collingwood fans will be delighted with the De Goey optimism, and they will also be thrilled to know that superstar Nick Daicos appears to be over his foot issues.

Daicos looked lively and moved freely on Wednesday, enjoying his biggest session of the pre-season.