Has De Goey been playing injured?

[RudeBoy]

In the pre-season NAB games De Goey was playing manic, full on footy, throwing his body into packs and extracting the ball for others with pace and skill. I recall Bucks saying something to the effect that De Goey demands to be played on the ball. I expected him to become a star for us this season. During the season proper, however, he has been disappointing, and has spent a lot of time playing in that no-man's position of HFF. Some may put his average form down to 2nd yr blues, but I suspect there's another explanation. I remember someone posting earlier in the season that De Goey was getting fluid drained from his knee after each game. I don't know the veracity of this claim, but even if partially true, it would help explain his sub par performances. I reckon this kid is a beauty and will be an absolute star and a physical force for us as a powerful midfielder in a couple of years, but right now I strongly suspect, he is playing injured, which is seriously impeding his performances. I just wondered if any of my fellow Nicksters have any info.

[HAL]

I often wonder about if a of his or her fellow Nicksters have a info too.

[Pies4shaw]

Interestingly, his stats (except in respect of his goal-kicking, which is reasonably awful) and games played are very similar to Isaac Heeney's. I was surprised by that when I looked, because the sense I have had is that Heeney is on the cusp of becoming a star. Maybe the difference is just that Heeney is playing in a reasonably competent team, so that we could expect De Goey to improve as the team does? Alternatively, of course, Heeney might just be a much better player. I suppose it's possible JDG has been playing injured but it wouldn't make much sense to be putting his career at risk in that way at this early stage - he's hardly indispensable on his present form and we do have other potentially serviceable midfielders in the VFL (even now, with all the other injuries).

[loki04]

Probably a sore and tired 2nd year player...

Clearly needs a rest but injuries maybe preventing his demotion.

Aish could come in for him but I think the club want him to really build some consistent dominant VFL form before he returns to AFL.

[loki04]

[thompsoc]

I haven't made up my mind about JDG and won't probably for a few years.
But I have 2 main concerns;
1. He fumbles
For draft pick 5 or whatever i find this disturbing.
2. His kicking on the run seems below par but his set shots seem good.
Again, I thought his kicking was better after reading the spin before he was drafted. But watching the last 2 years has also made me wary of this hype.
He is not a good kick on the run.

[Pies4shaw]

I don't particularly disagree with any of that. I mentioned the comparison, rather, because I was surprised that JDG gets about as much of the ball as Heeney, given the difference in their respective impacts on games, at this stage.

[npalm]

Is he playing injured? He may well be. We know that many players do continue to play with 'niggles'. And in most cases it affects their performance but not enough to justify dropping them or giving them some weeks off to recover. Especially if its an injury that won't recover with rest alone i.e. if some surgery is required.

The clubs for various reasons don't share this information with the media or with supporters. I guess we'll know whether JDG is playing with a knee injury if he has some surgery at the end of the year.

[qldmagpie67]

DeGoey has IMO been a victim of a team who's performances have been up & down (mostly down) his performances seem to mirror this. He's playing out of position due to injuries I'm sure if Swanny was available he would be playing that HFF
Also if he has been playing injured I think it by circumstance due to the massive injury list already
His number are still ok but there's certain aspects of his game that need improvement
I'm prepared to give the kid a break and revisit this in 300 games,m3 premierships and 2 brownlows

[CarringbushCigar]

He lined up on the wing for a fair bit of Sunday. What I did notice is he is huge. His legs are as thick as a seasoned bull. I'd put down his up and down form to growing into his body and the general club turmoil.

Can't question his heart or general talent. I love him and don't find comparisons to Heeney useful.

[MatthewBoydFanClub]

[Woods Of Ypres]

he seems to have lost a lot of weight this season.

when we drafted him his eyes were basically fused shut. lol

[jackcass]

[matrix10]