No one is going to doubt the fact that Jordan De Goey is having a breakout season.

The midfielder has averaged 18 disposals per game, kicked 16 goals in nine appearances and looks ready to break any game open at any one moment.

While the rest of us have watched from afar, the Collingwood captain has noted the improvement from within the Holden Centre.

Scott Pendlebury has witnessed the steep rise of De Goey in 2018, and on Thursday shone a light on just how much the 22-year-old would be enjoying becoming one of the game’s elite players.

“It’s one of the best feelings in the world when you’re playing well, the team is winning and you know you can go out there and dominate,” Pendlebury told the ‘Jock and Journo’ podcast.

“Jordy is having the breakout year as he moves into the elite bracket.

“Once you get the taste for how much you can do at the top level, it’s almost addictive.”

LISTEN: Everything from trimming your eyebrows, to re-signing De Goey - all in one podcast.

Behind the standout performances lies confidence and hard work. Pendlebury has watched De Goey transform from a raw, country-style footballer to a star on the rise.

While the former Oakleigh Charger has never lacked talent, his professionalism has at times been questioned.

“He trained hard and played hard, but wouldn’t know what diet meant,” Pendlebury noted in regards to the first version of De Goey he saw.

“He’s improved tremendously. He’s still learning the game and his upside is phenomenal.”

The transformation reminded the Collingwood captain of a pre-season in 2009 when he felt everything click on the field.

Pendlebury had already played 55 games and five finals, but found himself rising above his teammates during the often arduous summer training duties.

“In 2009 I just ate everything up in the pre-season. No matter what came my way, I was strong enough to handle it all.

“Other blokes were hurting and I could keep going. I used to get so much confidence from being able to get through the pre-season.”



Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan enjoy a pre-season training session in the summer of 2009. Image: AFL Photos.

The seventh episode of Jock and Journo for 2018 featured a range of interesting topics of conversations. Use the module below to listen to the many talking points, including:

- Eyebrow chops (2:30),
- Being forced by Mick to become a mid (8:15),
- Time to cut rotations (10:30),
- Pendles v Cripps take two (14:40),
- Weight of numbers in the middle (15:20),
- Pendles’ headphones celebration (17:00),
- Free agency honesty (21:15),
- Does Jeremy McGovern owe West Coast? (24:00),
- LeBron needs a new coach (26:00),
- Matthew Scharenberg: footballer first, athlete second (28:30),
- Shaz on the pod (30:15),
- Should the captain help recruit? (32:30),
- Blind faith in JDG (32:45),
- How addictive a breakout year can be (34:00)