AFL bad boy Jordan De Goey says he’ll have to lock himself in his house to stay out of trouble

AFL bad boy Jordan De Goey has declared he will have to ‘lock himself inside his house to stay out of trouble’ as he chases premiership glory with Collingwood this season.

The Magpies star, 27, has spent plenty of time soul searching following a number of high profile off-field incidents in recent years – namely in New York and Bali – and realises he has to grow up.

As he prepares to enter his ninth season in the AFL, winning a flag and being remembered for his on-field exploits is driving De Goey to new heights.

He freely admits he is likely to make future mistakes, but is desperate to become the best version of himself, which starts by ‘always being aware of his surroundings.’

Spending a night in a Manhattan jail cell following assault charges in October 2021 and then attempting to expose a woman’s breast at a Bali nightclub last year while on a mid-season break left De Goey fortunate to avoid being sacked by Collingwood.

Previous off-field incidents – like his wild night out with social media star Remy Jackson in Bali last year, pictured – didn’t help De Goey’s bad boy reputation

Footage of De Goey, 27, with the blonde bombshell in a Bali nightclub went viral last year as he was slammed for attempting to expose her breast while they partied

When De Goey initially baulked at behavioural clauses inserted in his contract extension last year, plenty of footy fans were left shaking their heads.

Describing his career as a ‘whirlwind’, De Goey is finally beginning to accept he has ‘boundaries to live by’ as a professional athlete and role model.

His support network – mainly his parents, manager Ryan Vague and Magpies coach Craig McRae – all want him to succeed.

But talk is cheap, and De Goey knows it.

Another major slip-up and his career could be over.

‘It is funny what a quiet pre-season can do for you. I haven’t had too many of them across my career,’ he told the Herald Sun.

‘I have stayed out of the papers and I have been injury free.

De Goey has kept his nose clean in the off-season and is desperate to repay Collingwood’s faith in him after last year’s scandals

‘I have put in all the hard work over the pre-season, so there will be no excuses from me.’

De Goey has also done training extras – in Bali and Melbourne – and insists he is in a ‘really good mental zone right now’.

It is the news Magpies fans have been craving, with Craig McRae’s men opening their 2023 campaign on Friday at the MCG against reigning premiers Geelong.

Collingwood are listed as $10 premiership hopes, with Geelong and Melbourne (both $5.50) the early flag favourites.