Collingwood General Manager of List and Talent Strategy Justin Leppitsch has shed light on the club’s ongoing discussions with Jordan De Goey’s management, revealing that while no trade talks took place this year, a major decision on the midfielder’s future is expected within the next 12 months.
The 29-year-old remains contracted until the end of 2026, but speculation over his long-term prospects intensified during the 2025 trade period, which otherwise proved quiet for the reigning premiers.
Despite rumours linking De Goey to several clubs, Leppitsch said both parties had only held preliminary talks about what comes next.
‘It was never once anyone driving Jordan wanting to leave or us wanting to drive him out’
“We've spoken to his management more about the long-term,” Leppitsch told AFL Trade Radio. “Jordan's still got two years to run. He would like to look at what point that long-term contract is going to come to finish his career. That's really where the conversations end and started [this year]. This time next year, we will look at that.”
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Leppitsch was quick to dismiss any suggestion of tension between the club and the 2023 premiership winner. “Jordan has been really mature, understanding where we stand and where our team is going to be in 12 months,” he said. “The tone of the conversation is... Where should I be deployed, and is it with Collingwood? It was never once anyone driving Jordan wanting to leave or us wanting to drive him out.”
De Goey’s importance to Collingwood remains undeniable; his versatility across midfield and attack makes him one of the club’s most valuable assets. However, persistent soft-tissue, concussion and Achilles injuries have limited his availability since signing a five-year extension in 2022. He has played just 24 games across the past two seasons, including only 11 this year.
While his long-term future is under review, Leppitsch also confirmed that Collingwood would soon meet with other uncontracted players as list management decisions continue. “Every decision like that has a flow-on effect,” he said.
“Tom Mitchell will be in that with Mason Cox, Lachie Sullivan... There’s a few of our boys that are waiting on answers that need them, and we want to get that to them ASAP.”