Jordan De Goey has disrespected Nathan Buckley and Collingwood again after being caught drink driving
THERE will be some commentators demanding Jordan De Goey be sacked for putting others at risk other after driving while over the limit, but that’s not right. He’s made a horrible mistake and disrespected his club, but it’s not a career-ending mistake.
Mark Robinson
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mark Robinson. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WHEN did the penny drop for Jordan De Goey?
That his seemingly bulletproof attitude to how he conducts his life will strip him of respect, his reputation and possibly his career.
Was it when he saw the flashing lights, hoping it was a minor car accident, only for it to be a booze bus?
IN TROUBLE: MAGPIE JORDAN DE GOEY CAUGHT DRINK DRIVING
PIES COACH: IS NATHAN BUCKLEY THE UNLUCKIEST COACH IN THE AFL?
THE LIE: DE GOEY SUSPENDED FOR LYING TO PIES ABOUT BAR FIGHT
Winding down the window and being asked if he had a drink that day, or was it when he was told to take a deep breath and hold it until he was told to stop?
Was it when he was delivered the bad news?
Was it when his mind was racing at a million miles an hour, telling himself over and over he was a bloody idiot?
Or was it when he called Collingwood football boss Geoff Walsh with the unfortunate news he’d been pinged for drink driving.
Maybe it was when he had to tell his parents that he had stuffed up — again.
De Goey, 21, wasn’t slightly over the limit — he was almost twice the legal reading.
That’s drunk.
He is on his P-plates, which makes it worse.
YOUNG GUN: PIES OPEN TALKS WITH MOORE ON NEW LONG-TERM DEAL
DRAFTEE: PRIZED PIE JAIDYN STEPHENSON PUSHING FOR ROUND 1 DEBUT
CHANGES: PAUL LICURIA JOINS COLLINGWOOD’S BOARD
Because he knowingly got in the car and drove intoxicated to wherever was so important that the consequences of his decision were not important at all.
The understanding is he was driving home after having a few beers with mates.
Not footy club mates. But old neighbourhood mates.
It’s not a career-ending mistake and, for sure, De Goey wasn’t the only 21-year-old at the weekend to jump behind the wheel when he shouldn’t have. Yet the backlash will be absolute.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire would not comment publicly on Sunday, as he watched the Magpies’ women’s team.
“We’ll deal with it tomorrow,’’ he said, reiterating the club’s statement.
He’s had chances, De Goey.
About this time last year, he got into a fight and broke his hand. He initially told the club the injury came about when he threw a toy to his dog, before coming clean days later and admitting it was the result of a fight.
De Goey panicked and lied then and was suspended for three games and fined $5000 for that charade.
On Saturday night, at about 8.30pm on a busy road in Port Melbourne, he unquestionably would’ve panicked and it was impossible to lie this time.
He will meet club bosses on Monday, and the leadership group, and a heavier punishment will likely be administered. Is lying to the club worse than drink driving?
Some commentators will demand De Goey be sacked for putting at risk other drivers, but that’s not right.
He’s made a mistake — a horrible one — and on top of lying last year it’s clear he has some serious questions to ask of himself.
It’s becoming apparent De Goey — and he’s not the first footballer to deal with this issue — has to learn when to say no to mates.
That’s not blaming his mates, for it was De Goey’s decision to drive, but there are lifestyle issues at play here.
Does De Goey still want to be one of the boys or does De Goey want to be a professional footballer?
You couldn’t blame coach Nathan Buckley for feeling outraged.
Buckley and club officials, including McGuire, support these young men to the hilt, and De Goey in particular, after the events of 12 months ago.
But he’s disrespected them again. He will say sorry again. And the club will support him — again.
If the penny didn’t drop in Port Melbourne on Saturday night, with every light flashing, it most certainly will when he fronts Buckley and McGuire for the first time.
The coach doesn’t deserve this crap and neither do his teammates.
‘In games we give up’: Flag hero savages Dons as board war looms
‘We are no longer feared, we’re certainly not respected’ – Essendon premiership player Paul Weston has had enough. He tells MARK ROBINSON exclusively about his plan for change.
‘We’ve got champions who are zombies’: Mitchell’s plea for help
Last Monday, at just 58, Barry Mitchell was lying in Epworth Hospital wondering if the game he loves had almost killed him again. This is his confronting story the footy world needs to hear.