Jordan De Goey’s heavy penalty for drink driving might be exactly what he needs, Mark Robinson writes
INDEFINITELY could be an eternity but, in reality, Jordan De Goey could convince Collingwood about his positive life changes in the month ahead and be available for Round 1. And MARK ROBINSON says that’s not right.
Mark Robinson
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IT worked with Steve Johnson at Geelong and Collingwood hopes — and expects — it will work with Jordan De Goey.
Johnson was suspended for six weeks and given an alcohol ban in 2007 after an eventful weekend back home in Wangaratta, where he got drunk with a mate, fell asleep in the wrong house and was locked up.
The Cats’ leadership group said then, and still says now, that heavy-handedness was required to jolt Johnson out of a lifestyle and attitude that were unacceptable.
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The Magpies on Monday hit De Goey between the eyes.
His incident was much worse than Johnson’s — drink driving — but a lot of the rest rings the same: Mates. Pissed. Bad choices.
Clearly, the Magpies had had enough of De Goey: Banned from drinking beer. Assessment on who he associated with. A fine of $10,000. A further $10,000 donation to a charity. Work away from the club for four weeks. Train with the VFL side for a month.
Yet, the penalty that arguably hurts a player most is banning him from playing games.
The Pies baulked at that one. They announced De Goey was suspended indefinitely.
Indefinitely could be an eternity but, in reality, De Goey could convince the club and his teammates about his positive life changes in the month ahead and be available for Round 1.
It’s unlikely, but not improbable and, excuse the cynicism, the Pies might be hedging their bets on this one.
Instead, Collingwood should have said De Goey was banned indefinitely but won’t play Round 1. Or at least not the first three rounds.
If he does play before Round 4, the Pies will likely draw widespread wrath for an inadequate punishment to a serious incident.
It’s why Collingwood, or any club in a similar situation, is compromised when handing down penalties.
De Goey is stupid, but he’s also a talent and the Magpies need all their talent on the park in the opening weeks of the season.
You can see why they left it at “indefinitely’’.
They play Hawthorn in Round 1 and Greater Western Sydney in Round 2.
Two losses and the pressure ahead of Carlton in Round 3 might prompt the Pies to play one of their potential matchwinners.
It’s too aggressive to call the decision a cop-out, but it lends itself to a favourable outcome for the Magpies.
Clearly, the penalties are designed to punish and influence De Goey more than hurt the club.
Still, telling a player he can’t drink beer and who he can hang out with might raise eyebrows at the players’ association.
If not, they should because the line between help and control can be blurry.
The Herald Sun was told on Monday night it was De Goey who offered the alcohol ban and to give up his mates, which kind of left the AFLPA sidelined.
The AFLPA knows the De Goey discussion was a delicate one and, when the code of conduct is ticked off with the AFL in the coming months, it hopes to be represented at the type of meetings held at Collingwood.
Right now it trusts Collingwood has made the right decision, although the $10,000 donation to charity raised some eyebrows at the AFLPA.
Of course, all of it could be a blessing for the 21-year-old.
As for when he’s playing again, well, that’s up to Collingwood.
With the publicity, the pain and the punishments, the Pies might think he’s been disciplined enough, meaning Round 1 is a possibility.
They wouldn’t, would they?
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