For the last seven minutes of the 2023 Preliminary Final, Jordan De Goey was just like the 97,665 people in the crowd and the millions watching at home.

Helpless.

The star midfielder, who came off the field late in the fourth quarter with aims of returning for one final push after a short break, would not return.

With the ball stuck on the southern wing on the MCG, any hopes of getting back on the ground faded with each stoppage that ensued.

But while that almost marred what ended up being a famous Collingwood win, the enduring image of De Goey storming the field at the final siren to celebrate with his teammates ultimately reigned supreme.

And it was fitting he so elatedly returned to the arena, given for the first 113 minutes of the game, he was the number one man inside it.

Amassing 34 disposals – only one fewer than his career-high – De Goey produced one of the best performances of his career on one of its most important nights.

So, as he prepares to retake that stage this Saturday evening two years on, the 29-year-old is happy to reflect on the fond memories Preliminary Final weekend holds.

“That prelim was insane, GWS were a phenomenal team at that time, and they were running hot,” he said.

“Personally, I had a decent game which was nice but liked I said earlier, just focussed on that contested ball.

“It was a super effort and I was glad to be sitting on the bench in that last five minutes, so I didn’t have to stress.

“I got stuck there … I think I came off with about six or seven minutes to go thinking I’d come back on with about three minutes to go.

“The pill got stuck on the other wing and then for me I was quite happy to sit on the bench because I didn’t have to stress.

“It’s a funny one because you feel like you’ve done your bit and what you needed to do, but I had super confidence in the team.”

Admittedly not someone to show emotions outwardly all that often, they certainly did following the final siren.

But it was a glimpse into just how much passion he has for his Club and teammates, prepared to do all he can to win games of football for the black and white.

“That was super special, just because I’m not really an emotional kind of person and it all came out,” he said.

“You saw what it meant to me and looking back on it it’s quite special so definitely a moment I won’t forget.”

That commitment to the cause has been evident this year too, having spent three months on the sideline in an effort to get back for this very month.

And given he will only have played one game in four weeks by the time Saturday rolls around, De Goey’s body is fit and firing as he aims to help the Pies into yet another Grand Final.

“You feel good as gold. It’s just like any break in any job in life, you feel refreshed and ready to go and excited about the next challenge,” he said.

“Everyone’s going to be going into it fresh which is going to be awesome and hopefully late in the game it’s going to stand out because we’ve got the legs and they don’t.”