IN MOST games he played this year, Jordan De Goey was able todo something that caught the eye. It might have been a strong mark, aclever goal, a short pass and then a quick sprint to get the ball back,or even a tackle. But there was always something.
De Goey played four games for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup last season and showed good signs but stepped it up in 2014.
Hebroke his wrist over the pre-season and that set back his progressslightly, but he was still able to piece together a very solid campaignfor the Chargers and Vic Metro between school commitments with StKevin's College.
De Goey added a moreaggressive streak to his game at under-16 level after some advice fromhis dad, Roger, and it has been a central reason for his rise as alikely first-round NAB AFL Draft pick.
De Goey plays at a high intensity, all of the time. He's spentthis year being tossed around a few different spots, but seems bestplaced as a rotating medium forward and midfielder, where he can use hissmarts and skills.
The best things about DeGoey are his competitiveness and decision-making. He's happy to fightfor the ball, push others out of the way and do anything to make it his.But when he has the ball he does the right thing with it, sometimesoverlooking the obvious option to find another that works out better.
Inthe midfield De Goey's clean ball-handling and doggedness make him atough match-up, and in attack he can play as a one-out forward, as aflanker or a crumber and find a way to hit the scoreboard.
Goodthings tend to happen when De Goey is around the ball, and he knows howto use his body and impact the play. He kicked 14 goals for theChargers in nine games, including three in the TAC Cup Grand Final whenhe helped turn the game his team's way.
If he's to move more into the midfield, De Goey will need topick up a few more disposals. For the Chargers and Vic Metro he onlyaveraged 15 touches a game, and although he's a quality over quantityplayer at the moment, if he can push that number up a few notches heshould be better placed to make an even bigger impact.
He's a bit like Geelong's Josh Caddy in his ability to play acrosshalf-forward and push into the midfield, but then wheel around and kickgoals. At 187cm, De Goey is a touch taller than the young Cat, whichhelps his overhead marking (he averaged six marks a game in the TACCup), another strong part of his game.
His name sits on some clubs' draft boards inside the first seven oreight selections and he's a likely top-10 pick on Thursday night.
De Goey is a game-breaker who is go, go, go. He mixes a fiercedesire with some class, he sees things unfold before others and makesthe most of it, and likes being in the thick of the action – whateverrole he's playing. Strong, hard-headed and confident, De Goey has a lotto offer.
