How the club handles these setbacks will be vital to their hopes of securing another premiership in 2025…
As the 2025 AFL season approaches, the
Collingwood Football Club faces
significant challenges due to injuries to
key players during the pre-season. These
setbacks could impact the team’s
performance as they aim to replicate
their 2023 premiership success.
  Jordan De Goey’s Knee Injury
Star midfielder Jordan De Goey is dealing
with bone bruising in his knee following
a knee-on-knee collision during a
training session last Wednesday. Initially
downplaying the severity, De Goey
assured fans there was “nothing to be
worried about” and referred to his
reaction as a “bit of carry-on.” However,
subsequent scans confirmed the bone
bruising, leading the club to place him on
a modified training program to manage
his recovery.
De Goey’s injury history is a concern, as
he has only played 20 games in two of
the past six seasons. His presence is
crucial for Collingwood’s midfield
strength, and the team hopes for his full
recovery before the season opener
against the GWS Giants on March 9.
  Nick Daicos’ Foot Concerns
Another blow to the Magpies is the foot
injury of young sensation Nick Daicos.
The 22-year-old has been managing
plantar fasciitis throughout the pre-
season, limiting his participation in full
training sessions. Despite this, Daicos
remains optimistic about his recovery,
stating that his “body is feeling good” and
he is “super excited” for the upcoming
season.
The coaching staff is monitoring Daicos’
condition closely, balancing his training
load to ensure he is fit for the season’s
commencement. His dynamic
playmaking abilities make him an
indispensable part of Collingwood’s
lineup.
  Tom Mitchell’s Ongoing Foot Issues
Brownlow Medalist Tom Mitchell has
encountered another setback with a
bone stress injury in his foot. After being
sidelined for most of the 2024 season due
to persistent plantar fasciitis and two
bouts of appendicitis, Mitchell had
resumed training but experienced
renewed foot soreness. He is currently in
a moon boot and will be reassessed after
two weeks, casting doubt on his
availability for the start of the season.
  Dan McStay’s Training Incident
Key forward Dan McStay suffered an
injury scare during a recent training
session after a collision in a marking
contest. He left the field limping and did
not return for the remainder of the
session. McStay’s tenure with
Collingwood has been marred by
injuries, including an MCL injury in the
2023 preliminary final and a pre-season
ACL rupture in 2024. The club is awaiting
further assessment to determine the
severity of his latest injury.
  Impact on Collingwood’s Season Preparations
These injuries to pivotal players pose a
significant challenge to Collingwood’s
pre-season preparations. The coaching
and medical staff are tasked with
managing these setbacks to ensure the
players’ health and readiness for the
season. The team’s depth will be tested,
and opportunities may arise for
emerging players to step up in the
absence of these stars.
As the season approaches, Collingwood
supporters will be keenly observing the
recovery progress of De Goey, Daicos,
Mitchell, and McStay. The club’s ability to
navigate these challenges will be crucial
in their quest to reclaim premiership
glory in 2025.
