Jordan De Goey always had the brute strength, explosiveness and eye for goal of a top AFL midfielder.
The prodigiously-talented Magpie's ability was never in doubt.
Instead, it was the once near-constant stream of self-inflicted setbacks that threatened De Goey's future at Collingwood and the AFL in general.
But this season, the 27-year-old has kept himself out of trouble, put in the work and delivered his best, most electrifying football to date.
It has him primed for the preliminary final against GWS.
"I think everyone knows my career almost got cut short a couple of times," De Goey told the Seven Network ahead of his 150th game in July.
"I managed to get my act together so to get here is a great achievement, but I think I've got more left in the tank."
The string of incidents wasn't exactly short.
In 2017, there was the near-comical situation where De Goey was caught out lying to the Magpies after he broke his hand in a bar brawl, initially blaming the injury on an accident while playing with his dog.
There have been multiple driving offences, including a drink-driving charge in 2018.
Then there was the drunken brush with the law in New York in October 2021, and controversy over his "disrespectful" behaviour while partying in Bali during his mid-season break last year, which prompted the Magpies to withdraw a contract offer.
De Goey subsequently apologised, made public his ADHD diagnosis and vowed to improve his behaviour.
After considering a free agency move to St Kilda, he signed a long-term deal with the Magpies.
Close mate and vice-captain Brayden Maynard, who was drafted with De Goey in 2014, admits there were some tough conversations along the way.
"Every now and then I'd let him know that I was always there for him, no matter the situation. When he made those mistakes I was always there for him," Maynard told AAP.
"I didn't tell him what was wrong and what was right. It was none of my business, really. I just wanted to let him know that I was there for him and he knew that so if he ever needed a chat, I was there for him.
"I love playing with him, obviously got drafted with him, so we have a very unique connection and bond."
It's not just keeping his nose clean that has helped.
While De Goey exploded as a forward in 2018, five years on he is fitter and able to spend more time in the midfield than ever before.
The dynamo is averaging 23.7 disposals, 6.6 score involvements and 5.4 clearances while still booting 16 goals this season.
"He really knuckled down in off-season, gave himself the best opportunity to train well throughout pre-season and everyone knows you have a good pre-season you're fit and healthy, ready to go - it sets you up for a big year," teammate Jack Crisp told AAP.
"He's playing to his strengths. Being able to be in the midfield - he's so strong and powerful and once he gets the ball going forward he's able to either help his team score or generate a score himself.
"He's a real impact player and we love having him around."
Maynard is the first to admit his close friend marches to the beat of his own drum - but it's working.
"He makes me laugh, Jordy," he said.
"He makes me laugh the way he handles himself. He goes about it and has gone about it in his own way. And that's all we ask for.
"He's obviously made a few mistakes along the way.
"But for him to be able to get back on the horse and mature as a human on and off the field, I feel like he's playing his best football and he made the All-Australian squad which is a credit to him.
"I'm really close with him. We get along like a house on fire and I love seeing him play his best football because when he's up and running he's pretty hard to stop."
