Clubs are working out how to successfully stifle Collingwood and Jordan De Goey.
That’s what David King believes in the wake of the reigning premiers’ third straight loss on Thursday night.
The Magpies went down to St Kilda by 15 points and now own a record of 0-3 which has their premiership defence in tatters.
Saints coach Ross Lyon admitted that his side went into the MCG clash against Craig McRae’s Pies with a plan to quell some key focus areas of their game.
“We had a couple of simple focus points on Collingwood and a few of their patterns,” Lyon told reporters.
“If you’re a reigning premier you’ve got clear signatures that you need to deal with. I think the competition has taken a while but we’re seeing all those signatures.
“So it’s pretty clear but often it’s hard to stop. Tonight we did a pretty good job of it.”
In response to those comments, King pointed out the subpar trio of showings from De Goey as a reference point.
The 2023 premiership star finished with just five kicks and 13 disposals in the Saints loss and King feels like opposition clubs are working out how to stymy his impact.
“Of course they have,” King said on SEN Breakfast when asked if the Pies have been worked out.
“When you look at what Ross was talking about, he’s talking about specifically the role of Jordan De Goey.
“That wing line run, up and back, staying in corridor. As often as they can they give the ball to him and they slingshot forward and he makes the right decision at the right time.
“He’s the conductor, he’s the one that flicks the handball out when it’s required, the kick inside 50 when it’s required. Everything is to advantage and he’s maximum damage.
“This year he’s had 11 kicks, 11 kicks and five kicks. His role has been stifled.
“Teams are putting time into Jordan De Goey like never before. He hasn’t been able to handle it and their plan hasn’t had another mode.”
In his 200th game, Seb Ross spent the majority of the night on De Goey and did a superb job, finishing with 22 disposals and seven tackles of his own.
De Goey’s return of five kicks on Thursday night was his worst return since Round 2 last season when he had four against Port Adelaide. He has finished with five or less kicks just three times in the last three seasons.
He and the Pies will be intent on bouncing back when they meet the winless Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Easter Thursday.
