Jordan De Goey has copped more heat than any Collingwood player during the Magpies' horrid start to the AFL season but the star forward bounced back with a vengeance.
After reportedly being urged by Collingwood's senior players this week to lift his standards, De Goey's six-goal performance helped the Magpies fight off North Melbourne and end a five-game losing streak.
The 25-year-old played solely as a deep forward, dominating Kangaroos defender Aiden Bonar and showing the sort of form which has previously seen him compared to Dustin Martin.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said a concussion in round five proved to be a major setback for De Goey.
"To get six goals from a spearhead is a fair impact on your score," Buckley said.
"Jordy came into pre-season really fit and looking likely as a midfield player.
"Those couple of weeks he missed knocked him around a little bit.
"He wasn't judged just on that game (against Gold Coast), he was judged on the bigger picture expectation that had been put on him externally.
"He's had games (before) like we saw tonight but I suppose that whets the appetite and sets the bar pretty high.
"The demands and expectations on Jordan is to get the very best out of himself and they're no different to any other player.
"We really understand when you're a Collingwood person, when things are going good or bad, they get pushed to the extreme.
"When you're actually a character in that organisation you get scrutinised really heavily, you get put on a pedestal for your good performances and kicked in the guts for your poor ones."
De Goey was not the only Collingwood player to find form, with Darcy Moore returning to defence and starring with 19 marks.
The Magpies (2-6) head to Sydney next Saturday for a clash with the Swans.
Australian Associated Press
