De Goey admits problem, bans himself indefinitely

Jordan De Goey admitted to his Collingwood teammates that he had behavioural problem before imposing a drinking ban on himself and suggesting an indefinite suspension from senior selection.

The 21-year-old began training with the club's VFL team on Monday night and he will also be eligible to take part in Collingwood's intra club match at Olympic Park Oval this Thursday night, which will involve both the AFL and VFL programs.

Jordan De Goey (left) at Collingwood VFL training on Monday.Credit: Wayne Ludbey

De Goey fronted the playing list before training on Monday morning before sitting down with coach Nathan Buckley and head of football Geoff Walsh.

While the midfielder was adamant he had progressed significantly in his professionalism – particularly his training – De Goey conceded to his teammates that his social life had to change if he was to make it as an elite AFL footballer.

He was also fined the maximum club amount of $10,000 for his drink-driving incident on Saturday night, whilst also offering a further $10,000 donation to a charity.

De Goey completed a gruelling weights and running session with teammate and close friend Jeremy Howe away from the main group on Monday, before fronting up for his first training session with the VFL side later that evening.

The club said De Goey would be required to undertake employment away from the club for four weeks and during that time will train at night with the VFL squad.

De Goey receives some encouragement.Credit: Wayne Ludbey

Fairfax Media understands that De Goey will work as a tradesman on a building site for the month, where he'll work full-time hours and train after work.

Part of De Goey's penance will also include working with the Salvation Army on Saturday nights delivering food to homeless people.

De Goey will also see a psychologist – referred by the AFL Players Association – and has pledged to change his social habits.

"When Jordan has convinced his peers and coaches that meaningful change has occurred, and that his standards have risen to those of the group, he will become available for selection," the statement said.

De Goey arrived at Collingwood early Monday morning, where he apologised to the entire playing group before training.

The club said: "Jordan has agreed to make significant changes to his social life and associations, a pledge the club supports and will monitor."

Collingwood's head of football, Geoff Walsh, issued De Goey a stern warning.

"Jordan can have a long career with Collingwood if he commits himself wholly to his football, but he could also have a very short career if he doesn’t," Walsh said.

No timeline has been provided for De Goey's return to the senior side.Credit: Wayne Ludbey

"The club, and particularly his teammates, want to see behavioural change. They need to be able to trust him and believe in him.

"Jordan can win back the faith he has lost over a period of time and have a very good career if he honours all that he has agreed to today.

"He is telling us he wants to change. The time for talking is over."

De Goey blew 0.095 – nearly double the legal limit – in Port Melbourne on Saturday night, after being dropped off at his car by friends following a day spent in Torquay.

De Goey has been disqualified from driving for six months, will receive a fine and will have an alcohol interlock device installed in his car for six months.

If De Goey had blown 0.1, he would have been required to appear in court.

Earlier on Monday, Magpies President Eddie McGuire slammed De Goey's poor decision making.

"It's unacceptable behaviour by anybody," McGuire said on Triple M.

"You’ve got to be careful on these things not to overreact but at the same time make sure we get the right result for society and for our club and for Jordan."