De Goey, who was arrested in New York over a nightclub incident in the off-season and was stood down by the Magpies for a period, received muted jeers from the stands whenever he went near the ball on Friday night.
But the explosive star let his football do the talking, racking up 27 disposals and five clearances, as well as two important second-half goals.
It was a crucial contribution in the Magpies' 15.12 (102) to 12.13 (85) win at Marvel Stadium in McRae's first game in charge.
De Goey (four) and Taylor Adams (eight) were central in Collingwood's centre clearance dominance (18-9).
"(De Goey) is an elite talent and we want him to play his role and bring what he does," McRae said.
"He plays to his strengths really well and he's a class finisher.
"You get the ball in his hand and he's got great skill and good things come of that, but I keep saying that he's just one player in our team."
Collingwood coughed up a 35-point lead during the third quarter as mature-age debutant Jack Hayes helped inspire a St Kilda fightback.
The Saints hit the front early in the final quarter when Jade Gresham marked his return from a long injury lay-off with a goal at the back of a pack - the first of his two for the term.
But the Magpies steadied and gave themselves breathing space when De Goey booted his second major midway through the fourth quarter.
Young teammate Oliver Henry kicked two important goals in the last term.
"We were excited in the rooms," McRae said.
"We reflected on the momentum swings of the early games and being able to capitalise when you had the momentum and clearly tonight was an example of that.
"We just love our fight and our spirit. We're trying to form a new DNA and when our fans come and watch us play we want to show them that we've got a bit of fight in us."
Father-son draft pick Nick Daicos (27 disposals) showed off his talent on debut and fellow Collingwood new boy Patrick Lipinski (30) also shone, while Jeremy Howe was back to his high-flying best in defence in repelling a series of opposition raids.
Mason Cox was left with sore ribs after an off-the-ball bump from Dougal Howard and a heavy Wood bump left Adams groggy in a bruising contest.
Darcy Moore spent time off the ground with a neck issue.
Former SANFL star Hayes kicked three goals and took four contested marks for St Kilda on debut.
Tim Membrey also kicked three goals for the Saints, with captain Jack Steele (28 disposals) and Brad Crouch (27) busy in the midfield, while Gresham (24) impressed in his first game since round three last year.
