- The Magpies’ grand final hero almost collapsed after the match
- Scored two goals in a thrilling four-point win over Brisbane
- He called winning the premiership the ‘biggest moment’ of his life
Collingwood grand final hero Jordan De Goey has dedicated his premiership medal to his grandmother Elisabeth as he revealed the incredible win over Brisbane will be the last game she sees.
The electric midfielder scored twice as the Pies clinched a record 16th premiership and was later caught up in emotional scenes in the dressing room.
De Goey was filmed placing his prime minister’s medal around his grandmother’s neck after asking her: “Do you want it?” ”, then calling someone to take a photo while Elisabeth, beaming, bit into the metal as if testing if it was authentic. .
De Goey was caught in emotional scenes in the dressing room after the match as he presented his premiership medal to his terminally ill grandmother Elisabeth (pictured).
“Unfortunately she has terminal cancer so this will be her last match,” he told the Herald Sun.
“It means everything to me to have him here.
“My grandfather had a big influence on my career and unfortunately he passed away. So being able to see (my grandmother) in the rooms is so special.
“This is a special moment for my family.”
He also described the victory as “the best moment of my life, for sure.”
“I put in so much work to get here, as did everyone else on the team. We have all experienced setbacks.
The victory will be especially sweet for De Goey after the way he has turned his career around after facing off-field problems over the past two years.
The grand final hero described the four-point win as “the best moment of my life”.
He ended up in a New York prison in October 2021 after a nightclub incident, then apologized for his behavior after being filmed in a controversial video taken at a Bali club in June last year .
The latter incident led former Magpies president Eddie McGuire to declare he was on “parole” at the club.
However, he signed a five-year extension with Collingwood last September after spurning a big offer from St Kilda.
“It’s obviously a bit of a stressful time but, deep in my heart, I always wanted to stay with the Pies,” he said at the time.
“They just created this family culture and I really thrive there, as do a lot of other boys.”
The premiership victory came after De Goey emerged from a highly controversial 18-month spell in which he was involved in two off-field incidents.
The 27-year-old scored two crucial long-range goals to help the Pies win their 16th flag.
De Goey provided one of the most crucial moments in Collingwood’s win on Saturday when he scored and kicked a goal after the quarter-time siren.
His shot never seemed to miss despite coming from outside the 50-yard arc and the crowd went crazy as he gave the Pies a 10-point lead at the first break.
De Goey’s second major came as he ran into an incredible handball from Nick Daicos with just over five minutes remaining in the final quarter and his team trailing by two.
He launched the ball almost right on the 50-yard line and hit the target again, adding another decisive moment to a high-profile effort that also saw him make 18 disposals and make four tackles.
