Jordan De Goey's modelling career is on hold with the star ball-winner declaring himself fit and ready to deliver his explosive best for Collingwood in pursuit of an unlikely AFL premiership.
The banged-up Magpies will have to do it the hard way, without injured leaders Scott Pendlebury and Brayden Maynard for their wildcard clash with the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
A long route to the last day in September also poses problems, with teams required to win four cut-throat finals just to get there.
But 30-year-old De Goey, as always, looms as a potential game-breaker for the Pies as he seeks to put an exclamation mark on one of his best individual seasons.
"It's probably the most consistent (I've played) over a long period of time and I'm just happy to be injury-free," De Goey told reporters on Monday.
"My body's feeling really good and I just feel like I can contribute to the team, which I haven't done for a long period of time.
"This year's been a step in the right direction and something I can keep growing and building going forward."
De Goey partly credits his outstanding form throughout the 2026 season to becoming a father, after he and partner Aisha welcomed their first daughter last December.
"It's funny. All of a sudden your footy goes up and everyone thinks it's dad life," De Goey said.
"But yeah, I think it definitely helps. I'm quite settled, I have been for a long period of time, but having a little one is an outlet outside of football that I really enjoy."
De Goey still has bruising around his left eye after requiring stitches following a heavy knock in a marking contest in last week's defeat to reigning premiers Brisbane.
"The modelling career's put on hold unfortunately, but the ribs are all good," De Goey said.
"The elbow took most of the brunt and other than that I'm feeling quite good."
Collingwood managed just one win and a draw over the final month of the home-and-away season as they squeezed into ninth spot.
Despite the absence of Pendlebury and Maynard, De Goey expects the know-how of a host of 2023 premiership players to give the Pies a leg up at the business end of the season.
"It makes a hell of a difference," De Goey said.
"We know what it takes to get to the final weekend of September. It's about clocking games and these early games are as important as the last.
"We'll make the most of it ... it's just about putting our best foot forward."
