Jordan De Goey ban: Collingwood chief executive Mark Anderson stands by immediate decision

Collingwood’s decision to ban Jordan De Goey hasn’t changed, but the club’s boss says the Pies remain committed to looking after the person during the next phase.

Jordan De Goey has hit the training track again with Geelong FL club Leopold. Picture: Getty Images

Collingwood is “midway through” finalising its position on disgraced forward Jordan De Goey who is currently banned from the club.

Chief executive Mark Anderson was asked during a members’ forum at Thursday night’s annual general meeting about the Pies plans for De Goey, who is awaiting a court verdict in the US on assault charges.

De Goey was stood down after he was charged following an incident in a New York bar on October 30. Last week, he faced court via video link before his case was adjourned until January.

Anderson said the club stood by its decision to immediately dump De Goey from its training program before hearing his version of events which happened last week.

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Collingwood is “midway through” finalising its position on Jordan De Goey. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

“When the incident happened we all made the immediate decision to stand down Jordan immediately,” Anderson said.

“That was important for a couple of reasons just to assess what the situation was, what the case was.

“We are still in that position. It was also useful to sit face-to-face with Jordan and that wasn’t possible while he was overseas, now that he is back in Australia a number of us have sat down, importantly got his version of events.

“We are probably about midway through that process. He still has to attend the court hearing for the case to be heard and after that, and after the finding, we will have a clear position.

The Magpies have revealed they are supporting Jordan De Goey the person through this difficult stage. Picture: Michael Klein

“Importantly we needed to make an immediate decision at the time we did, we stand by that and importantly we are now working through that process and we will arrive at an outcome and a fair outcome and one that does balance up where we are at as a club.”

“The other important thing we are doing is ensuring we’re looking after Jordan as a person, that is really important as a club that we stand by our people regardless of the situation they are in and we absolutely do that.

“We are supporting Jordan in that and we are hopeful we will reach a conclusion and be really clear once it has reached a conclusion with all of our members in terms of what the next steps are.”

Mark Korda and Mark Anderson at the Collingwood AGM. Picture: Supplied

De Goey has been forced to train away from the Holden Centre and last week he had a run with GFL club Leopold, who is coached by former Magpies assistant Garry Hocking.

Football director Paul Licuria revealed the club had a “quiet belief” that there would be a significant spike in performance under new coach Craig McCrae.

“For us first and foremost there is the development of our younger players as our list has changed a lot,” Licuria said.

“We want to fast-track development and obviously push towards finals but there is a lot of work to do.

“There is no ceiling, we certainly have a quiet belief of what we are capable of doing and obviously a lot higher than what we finished last year (17th).

“Every year you go into a pre-season and you are pushing for finals football. We have a lot of work to do and have a good developing list.”

Why De Goey was given a chance at Leopold

– Harry Gell and Lachie Young

Geelong champion Garry Hocking says he was simply being a mate when he invited Jordan De Goey to train with Leopold last week, as colourful former footballer Mal Brown declared the exiled Pie should be “brought into line”.

De Goey, who was stood down by the Magpies after he was charged with assaulting a man at a New York venue on October 30, was not seen at either of the Geelong Football Club League club’s two training sessions this week, but remains a chance of returning to the Lions in the new year.

Brown, who was never far from controversy during his playing days, said hard work was the way back for De Goey.

“I think he should be brought into line. Obviously he can’t drink and obviously he is a d***head when he gets on whatever he does,” Brown said on Browny’s Podcast.

“I would work him to death. I would have him training that much that he would want to play footy.”

Jordan De Goey has hit the training track again with Geelong FL club Leopold. Picture: Getty Images

Brown said, despite the gravity of the alleged charge, De Goey was entitled to a second chance.

“I think that everyone makes a mistake.

“As long as it is not a really bad one that is hurting people of any nature you’ve got to give people a chance.”

Hocking, who played 274 games with the Cats before moving in to coaching, developed a friendship with De Goey in his time as an assistant at Collingwood.

The Leopold coach said while he did not condone the star forward’s alleged behaviour, there was another side to him that made him want to help out.

“It is just purely a friend helping a friend,” Hocking said.

“We built a connection over our time at Collingwood and we both have a mutual respect.

“I will go on record as saying that I don’t support Jordan’s behaviour – and you are innocent until proven guilty – and I don’t condone violence on any level, but what I do is support Jordan.

“Because I have actually seen the really, really good bits, and I am just another person there like I would be for any of our staff, our volunteers at the footy club, my own family or friends, I would be there for them, and this is just a moment where I am being there for a person who I really admire.”