De Goey enlists powerful New York law firm, as teammates reach out

Troubled Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has enlisted a powerful New York law firm to help keep him out of jail on a day teammates began to question why he has again found himself in serious trouble.

De Goey’s manager Ryan Vague confirmed to The Age on Monday that he had engaged Brafman & Associates, one of New York’s top defence law firms, to represent De Goey, who is also his brother-in-law. The law firm has represented accused mafia victims, political figures and, in 2018, was engaged by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein when he was charged with rape.

The firm has also represented rapper Jay-Z, Sean “P Diddy” Combs and NFL star Plaxico Burress.

Magpie Jordan De Goey pictured leaving a New York court. Credit: Nine News

Defence lawyer Jacob Kaplan will lead De Goey’s case against two charges, which will be heard in court on December 8 and could lead to a stint behind bars if the Magpie is found guilty.

The 25-year-old and his mate Luke Dyson, a tattoo artist, have been charged with “forcible touching” of a woman and attacking her friend during a night out at a Chelsea nightclub in New York. De Goey appeared before a judge on Sunday and pleaded not guilty. As part of his bail, he must check in with police weekly.

Former Magpies recruiter Matt Rendell believes De Goey may have scared off potential business suitors and could take a massive financial hit due to the controversy.

Collingwood teammates, including Jeremy Howe and Brayden Maynard, have been among those to reach out to De Goey.

“He has, obviously, made another mistake, and he has got to pay for whatever that may be. I have sent him a message saying, ‘Mate, I am here for you no matter what,’” Maynard told Seven.

Howe added: “It’s not going to be like ... let’s just grill you for an hour. It’s like, we just want to know you are all right. How did you find yourself in this situation? How it can be avoided next time, given it is not the first time.”

Vague said De Goey will release a statement in coming days. Collingwood confirmed that De Goey’s legal team was not their responsibility.

The Magpies have suspended De Goey indefinitely, leaving his career on a knife edge.

Rendell stressed De Goey, who has previously courted controversy during the off-season and was only cleared of an assault charge in August, was innocent until proven guilty, but said it was unlikely he could now command a contract of more than the $800,000 a year he would have expected - even if he is free to play next season.

“Put it this way, I think you can rule out the competition,” Rendell said.

“The only club he will play with is Collingwood. I would have thought not one club would go there, even if he is found innocent. Everyone would look at him and say it’s too much trouble, wouldn’t they?

“Even if he is innocent, it is going to cost him, no matter how good a year he has next year. Wait and see.”

Magpies football department chief Graham Wright had been in talks with De Goey and Vague about a new contract. De Goey will be a free agent when his contract expires next season and, at his age, could have commanded a long-term contract, similar to what Richmond superstar Dustin Martin and Melbourne’s Christian Petracca have.

De Goey had been granted a special exemption and gone to California to train at a specialist academy as part of his Monster Energy contract (the company did not respond to a request for comment on Monday) in a bid to return to training next month in prime condition. However, the indefinite suspension and the need to reappear in court means he won’t be on hand when senior teammates gather on December 6.

If he is ultimately free to play, and the Magpies deliver a low-ball, heavily incentivised offer, it would create room in what remains a tight salary cap despite last year’s controversial firesale of talent.

“It would do that. I think he is on around $800,000 … I am tipping they [Magpies] would have budgeted for at least four or five years at least at $800,000 [per year]. Well, they should have been. That could go to dust as well,” Rendell said.

While the court case is De Goey’s most serious concern, the AFL integrity department is also investigating, and he could face substantial time on the sidelines for bringing the game into disrepute, regardless of any judicial verdict.

The Magpies, according to leading silk and former board member David Galbally, could also have grounds to sack him. Collingwood have already made it clear their board is leading cultural change, particularly after the Do Better report.

De Goey was in New York while on annual leave mandated in the collective bargaining agreement.

The Magpies, having finished 17th with only six wins this year, were hoping for renewal under new coach Craig McRae but should De Goey be cast aside, their rebuild is likely to take a major hit.

De Goey’s latest indiscretion has sparked more debate about the AFL’s need for a mandated “no fault” stand down clause for cases that potentially face a decade-long jail term. However, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins did not wish to comment on an individual case when contacted by The Age.

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