Jordan De Goey’s return raises serious questions about the AFL

The AFL has come under heavy fire after Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey was allowed to return to play after being charged by police.

Jordan De Goey returned to Collingwood’s line-up in scintillating fashion on Thursday night as helped his side down Geelong with five goals.

The mercurial forward was at his devastating best before news broke he had suffered a serious finger injury which will sideline him for a lengthy period.

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A statement on Friday confirmed De Goey will have surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right middle finger. He will go under the knife this week in Perth.

But as Collingwood faithful attempt to overcome the loss of their star player, serious questions have been raised over why he was allowed to take the field in the first place.

Earlier this month De Goey was charged by Victoria Police with indecent assault from an alleged incident back in 2015.

A trip to a police station sidelined him for one week, but he returned as the Pies took on the Cats at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

His return quickly became a major talking point and was heightened when veteran commentator Bruce Macavaney appeared to suggest the serious charge was a “hiccup”, but

revealed after the match that he was simply referring to De Goey’s minor form slump.

Welcome back, Jordy. pic.twitter.com/Sc3R6qJG9t

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 16, 2020

Under the NRL’s “no-fault stand down” policy, players who are charged with serious criminal offences aren’t allowed to take the field.

Two veteran reporters, along with former AFL star Matthew Lloyd, have put the spotlight back on the league for remaining silent and allowing De Goey to play.

“I think that the AFL should come out – whether it be Richard Goyder, the Commission Chairman, or Gill McLachlan – and just explain the reason why they think that it is appropriate for him to play,” the Herald Sun’s Mick Warner said on 3AW Football.

“Whether that’s because they think it’s a low level charge or whatever – I don’t know what the reason is – but I think that would help alleviate the situation and this growing discontent around Jordan De Goey.”

Veteran broadcaster Tim Lane added: “The landscape has changed since that (AFL) investigation (in 2018), which actually absolved De Goey, whereas now that absolution has been rescinded and the charge is being pursued. So whether the AFL knows all of that to the nth degree of modern consideration of it, we’re not quite sure.

“Bruce McAvaney is greatly respected and an iconic figure in broadcasting, not disrespectful in any way. The fact that he was able to stumble in (on Thursday) night as he did trying to use euphemism – which I can completely understand within the commentary of a game and yet it could make him, and has made, him look through the eyes of some people as though he was playing down a very serious charge – that is reason enough, I would suggest, that the AFL have to really consider this and try and draw some lines so that everyone understands where they stand.”

De Goey played a major role on Thursday night.

Asked if he was uncomfortable De Goey had been allowed to play footy, Lane said: “I’ve always been inclined to consider that innocent until proven guilty is a sufficiently important principle that football, if it’s going to make a statement, makes a statement in line with that, because it is a high principle of our democratic social life. So it’s something to be very seriously considered.

“If it is to change within the landscape of our game, it needs serious consideration. And, as Mick is suggesting, it needs very clear explanation.”

Lloyd agreed with Lane and Warner.

“I think the more I think about what you just said, an explanation would probably set a lot of people’s uneasiness about Jordan playing at the moment,” Lloyd told 3AW.

Collingwood declared earlier this month the club would support De Goey and allow him to keep playing for the club while the legal process takes its course.

The AFL and Victoria police investigated the 2015 incident in 2018. No charges were laid.

De Goey will face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 30.

Originally published as Jordan De Goey’s return raises serious questions about the AFL