COLLINGWOOD assistant coach Garry Hocking has taken Jordan De Goey under his wing, and can't wait to see the Magpies forward return on Friday night from a club-imposed suspension.
De Goey is set for his first game of the season when the Magpies take on Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
The 22-year-old was caught drink driving and had his licence suspended in February after returning a blood alcohol level almost twice the legal limit.
A hamstring injury then delayed his return, but strong form in the VFL has led to his recall.
Hocking said he's spent a lot of time with De Goey since he joined the Magpies at the end of last year.
The pair were seen at the round one Friday night clash between Essendon and the Crows.
"When I first got to the club, I really wanted to try and do some work with him," Hocking told reporters at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
"He's a real natural talent.
"Probably the last two or three months, I've spent some time just catching up with him, having a coffee, going to dinner, we go and watch a bit of footy just to try and make him improve as a person and as a player.
"He's done everything as well as he could and he's really impressed everybody since the indiscretion."
Hocking said De Goey could spend some time in the midfield to help cover for the injured Taylor Adams.
While De Goey is back in the team, experienced forward Alex Fasolo needs to work on the defensive side of his game before getting a senior recall.
"Every forward these days, whether you're big, whether you're Jeremy Cameron, whether you're (Josh) Jenkins or Taylor Walker or (Ben) Reid, you've got to bring some sort of defensive pressure to your game, it's not all about just kicking goals and taking marks," Hocking said.
"You've got to be able to defend, and defend on the ground as well, and manufacture goals through tackling.
"His form in the VFL was really good last week.
"Another week, another two weeks of that and he'll be right up there for selection."
Small forward Jarryd Blair travelled with the squad to Adelaide.
