Collingwood coach Craig McRae wants Jordan De Goey to recommit to the AFL club following the explosive free agent's best game of the season.
De Goey was influential in Friday night's seven-point win over reigning premiers Melbourne, helping lift the Magpies into second spot on the ladder.
The 26-year-old finished with 24 disposals, 12 contested possessions, nine clearances and a goal, and shapes as a crucial piece in the Pies' premiership puzzle.
"I thought he was a star," McRae said.
"He genuinely flipped the game around clearance when we couldn't get the ball out of centre bounces and were getting smashed in there again.
"He just had this shrug of the shoulders and swagger to get out of traffic and I thought it was his best game for the year."
The performance showcased De Goey's obvious talent in a year when he has also created more headlines for the wrong reasons off the field.
De Goey has attracted attention from rival clubs, including St Kilda, who are interested in luring him away from Collingwood.
The talented midfielder-forward has played 133 games for the Magpies over eight seasons.
"He's a free agent, that's his right to explore his options," McRae said.
"I speak authentically - I'd love Jordy to stay.
"I would, and that's going to create a headline, but we live in the moment and let Jordy keep being himself around our environment and make us better.
"Nights like tonight are a good example of his assets."
Collingwood have some concerns over Will Hoskin-Elliott's hip flexor issue ahead of the clash with Sydney in round 22 but McRae played down injuries to Nick Daicos (ribs) and Brayden Maynard (ankle and shoulder).
"Bruzzy (Maynard) looked like he needed to go to the panel beaters after the game," McRae said.
"He was messed up but he's amazing."
Brodie Grundy won't play at any level this weekend after an ankle issue flared up in recent days.
The star ruckman, who had been sidelined by a knee injury since round six, is no certainty to be available next week.
