Collingwood Magpies’ coach Craig McRae has expressed deep concern over the escalating severity of superstar Jordan De Goey’s groin injury, stating that it’s venturing into “scary” territory and necessitates meticulous management. The alarming news comes as yet another blow to the club, with Jamie Elliott also joining the injury list.
With Elliott sidelined due to back soreness, McRae has made the bold decision to deploy veteran Jeremy Howe as a forward against West Coast this Sunday. The defending premiers will enter the match without key players such as Brody Mihocek, Beau McCreery, Lachie Schultz, De Goey, and Tom Mitchell.
De Goey’s absence marks the second consecutive week he’s missed due to the injury. While McRae revealed that the club has gained additional insights into De Goey’s condition and ruled out osteitis pubis, he emphasized that the 28-year-old isn’t out of the woods yet.
McRae acknowledged the challenging circumstances, admitting, “we don’t have a cast of thousands” to fill the forward positions, particularly with Dan McStay still recuperating from his ACL injury. The absence of six of Collingwood’s leading goalkickers from last season further compounds the team’s challenges.
Despite the injury setbacks, McRae remains optimistic about providing opportunities to eager players. Fin Macrae and Reef McInnes are among those set to step up against the Eagles. Additionally, Collingwood will introduce mature-aged recruit Joe Richards, 24, who showcased his talents with the Wangaratta Magpies in Victorian country football before being drafted in 2022.
Regarding Elliott’s absence, McRae explained that the decision was made after assessing his back soreness, which persisted despite efforts to alleviate it. As for Howe’s new role as a forward, McRae highlighted his experience and class, expressing hope that Howe can make a valuable contribution in the absence of key forwards.
With uncertainty looming over De Goey’s recovery and the challenges posed by multiple absences, Collingwood faces a daunting task against West Coast. However, McRae remains resolute in his belief that the team can rise to the occasion and overcome adversity with determination and teamwork.