Tyson Goldsack believes that Jordan De Goey is on the cusp of having a breakout year, if he fully commits and accepts the level that is required to play AFL football. In a year of turmoil and inconsistency for De Goey he has a lot to prove in 2018.
"He's definitely not as fit as he could be" Goldsack said on Thursday.
"He's getting there,"
"He's definitely not as fit as he could be, but he is learning himself how fit he can be.
"In another four or five weeks, he'll be ready to go."
De Goey, who was training freely after hip flexor surgery in the post season, received a knock on the repaired hip in December that has hampered his preseason training schedule.
Goldsack does, however, believe that De Goey can put the distractions from last season behind him, which saw De Goey miss 6 games due to being suspended for breaking his hand in a bar fight. Goldsack noted that it's consistency in his game that will bring him to the next level.
"He's shown in games how tough and how good he can be, and he just needs to bring that week in, week out, like the rest of the group," Goldsack said.
The former number five draft pick failed with consistency last season after his indiscretion, having failed to put together a good run of form until the last 5 games of the season, which begun after a sublime display against Hawthorn in round 15.
Goldsack who suggested that his role may be tinkered with, suggesting that he could be used as a swingman this season, where it is a role that hes relishing.
"I have the ability to go back and forward, so it just depends on the make-up [of the side],"
"I'm trying to learn a little bit of both.
"A lot of players have been doing that, because in this day and age, you need coverage forward and back and if someone goes down, you need to be able to play both positions.
In a year where finals is a non-negotiable for the Pies, Goldsack hinted that positional changes are possible, with the likes of Darcy Moore playing in defence and Ben Reid and Mason Cox being the focal points up forward.
"We showed in our games last year that we can match it with the best teams – we just coughed up a few games against the lower teams on the ladder at the time, and we just can't afford to be doing that.
"We're definitely setting our sights high.
"We know we've been saying the same thing for the last few years, so definitely finals – let's get to finals first and then how far into finals we go, time will tell."