Jordan De Goey will always be grateful for Scott Pendlebury.
Perhaps more than any other of the 90,000 packed house at the MCG in Pendlebury’s record game on Saturday.
The 433-game champion has been an important mentor for De Goey throughout his footy journey.
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From De Goey’s bad boy days including times when his Magpies career was in question.
To playing in grand finals together including that centre bounce play in the 2023 decider.
Even off the field, De Goey has formed a bond with Pendlebury’s son, Jax, who’s regularly worn a No. 2 on his jumper as the nine-year old’s favourite player.
It’s all helped shape De Goey, who became a father himself last December after he and his partner, Aisha, welcomed their first baby girl, Tatum.
Scott Pendlebury and Jordan De Goey in 2017 (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
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Through it all, Pendlebury has been the absolute constant across De Goey’s 12 seasons in the AFL.
But again, it hasn’t always been so rosy.
There have certainly been rockier times for De Goey after off-field slip ups and sombre meetings with the club including long-time skipper Pendlebury.
Even in those hard times, however, Pendlebury was always in De Goey’s corner.
“He’s just a special person in general, he’ll always have your back,” De Goey told foxfooty.com.au in the rooms after Saturday’s win over West Coast.
“From the start of my career, all the way up until now, he’s been a mentor for me, someone who’s supported me and cared for me the whole journey.
“I’m super grateful to have him in my life and I’m super stoked to get to share this milestone with him.
“We had a few meetings, unfortunately, back in the day. But he was the first to support me and backed me to the hilt.”
Jordan De Goey and Scott Pendlebury have been through a lot together (Picture: Michael Klein)Source: News Corp Australia
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The Magpies celebrated Pendlebury’s milestone in style in a 10-point win over the Eagles that went down to the wire.
Beyond the game itself, the tributes for the milestone man went far and wide.
They included all Collingwood players — not just Pendlebury — wearing gold numbers on their commemorative guernseys.
The idea was driven by Pendlebury in a late surprise his teammates including De Goey “had no idea” about.
“It was pretty special. Felt like you were a part of it,” De Goey added.
“That’s just what sort of bloke he is, he’s a selfless bloke and wants everyone to be by his side wearing the same stuff.”
And while there was plenty of backlash towards the Pendlebury celebrations, De Goey said the players “didn’t think about it too much” and simply wanted to honour the Collingwood champ.
“It’s amazing to see 90,000 cheering for one particular player. I found that so special,” he said.
“He’s been an absolute trooper of the footy club for so many years and been such a great role model.
“To go out and get the four points for him is exactly what he deserved.”
So, how much longer can the 38-year old’s longstanding, decorated career keep going?
“You can’t kill the bloke, he’s like a cockroach, he just keeps going!,” De Goey cheekily responded.
“I dunno, he can probably play for another five years, to be honest!”
Collingwood players run through the banner in Scott Pendlebury’s record game (Picture: Michael Klein)Source: News Corp AustraliaScott Pendlebury is chaired from the field after his record game (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesCollingwood players sing the song after Scott Pendlebury’s record game (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
As for his own form, De Goey has gotten back to some of his brilliant best play over the past month following two “super frustrating” seasons riddled by injury since winning the 2023 flag.
It’s robbed De Goey of two of the prime years of his career, as a groin issue flared up other problems and limited him to 24 games across the last two seasons.
“Super frustrating. It was no fault of my own, it was just one of those things,” he said.
“I had the groin, then I was overusing my groin and tried to power that through other parts of my body, like my Achilles.
“It was one thing after the next. But I’ve worked super hard to get where I am now. It’s nice to win games and have the support of the team.”
Jordan De Goey in action on Saturday (Picture: Mark Stewart)Source: News Corp Australia
The midfielder-forward has put the tough injury run behind him, missing just one game so far in 2026.
And he’s looked particularly explosive in recent weeks in the De Goey we’ve been accustomed to seeing over his 192-game career.
De Goey has averaged 28 disposals over his last three games and thrived in a permanent midfield role with his feet finally under him.
“I think playing up the ground and around the ball a bit more has helped me out,” he said.
“I’ve just grown and got some confidence. I haven’t been playing this sort of footy for a long period of time.
“To get back to where I am now, accumulating more ball and honing in on my craft, it’s been really good.
“I feel like I’m having an impact for the team.”
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