AFL demands answer as Jordan De Goey sprung in ‘bizarre’ act

The AFL has reportedly demanded answers from Collingwood after star Jordan De Goey was sprung by TV cameras.

Jordan De Goey got sprung. Photo: Fox Footy.

The AFL has reportedly demanded answers from Collingwood after Jordan De Goey was sprung by TV cameras.

In the final minutes of the Magpies’ five-point Gather Round win over Hawthorn on Sunday night in Adelaide, De Goey was spotted trying to hide the blood that was coming from teammate Darcy Cameron’s nose.

Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Cameron had been wrapped up in a tackle by three Hawthorn players and blood was seen coming from his nose as he lay on the ground waiting to get back to his feet for the next ball up.

De Goey was clearly worried about the possibility of the umpire spotting the blood and potentially sending the ruckman from the field under the league’s blood rule code.

De Goey came in from several metres away and slyly attempted to wipe the blood from Cameron’s face while he positioned his body to stop the umpiring from spotting it.

Jordan De Goey got sprung. Photo: Fox Footy.

Nothing to see here. Photo: Fox Footy.

Cameron also gave his nose a wipe as he got back to his feet.

The intent was clever, but it proved fruitless as the umpires detected the blood moments later and ordered Cameron off the field to get the cut looked at.

As first reported by Channel 9’s Tom Morris, the AFL does not have a rule surrounding blood being wiped between teammates.

However, the league has reportedly stepped in to ask the football club for an explanation.

Morris said league officials will make it clear to the football club the “bizarre” act is not OK.

Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary said: “There’s no sanction or suggestion of any wrongdoing.

“The AFL are just curious given it’s not something you see every day.”

The win over the Hawks was still far away from the form the club showed on its way to the premiership last season.

The Pies showed glimpses of their best and will get a chance to build on the win with a 12-day break as a result of their opening round appearance.

Despite back-to-back wins the Magpies have continued to lag behind in key statistical areas which underpinned their flag tilt in 2023.

They have gone from the third-best to third-worst side in conceding points from turnovers over the first five rounds, while they have slipped from sixth to 15th on the proportion of defensive 50 possessions converted into inside 50s.

The Pies next face Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday, April 20.