Jordan De Goey’s case is the AFL’s chance to make a stand on violence against women

Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey, right, was charged with sexual assault by Victorian Police on Saturday Picture: Getty Images

Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey, who has been charged with indecent assault, should not have the privilege of playing footy.

Yet De Goey has not been stood down by the AFL and the Pies will have him back on the field as soon as possible. Of course.

For far too long the AFL has slithered its way out of shameful chapters, avoiding set in stone, firm boundaries for their footballers when it comes to serious criminal charges – but surely now is the time to do something.

De Goey is entitled to the presumption of innocence but that does not translate into the right to play while the charges are dealt with by the judicial system.

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It is time for the AFL to catch up and to look to the NRL who implemented in February last year the ‘no fault’ stand down rule for players facing charges such as sexual assault.

It was not only a watershed moment for the NRL but a history-making moment in Australian sport — no other footy code has had the heart to make such a hard line, uniform policy on allegations of violence against women.

Under the NRL stand down rule players who are charged with serious criminal offences, with a maximum jail term of 11 years or more, cannot take the field. Dragons star Jack de Belin, who has been charged with sexual assault, is currently sitting out his second season because of the rule.

While there seems to be much talk in the AFL around a rubbery “respect and responsibility” policy and in turn educational programs attached to it, this approach alone doesn’t cut it.

Most notably because there’s no penalty under that policy and this is not good enough.

The AFL will only show they are taking allegations such as sexual assault, rape and domestic violence seriously if they implement a ‘no fault’ stand down policy.

Last year it was Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter Beattie who drove the NRL’s ‘no fault’ stand down policy after an ‘off season of shame’. Beattie, along with fellow commissioners Megan Davis and Peter V’landys, drove the rule which is said to have rescued millions in sponsorship dollars.

But it’s not just about the money. The ARLC implemented this rule not only because of a sponsor backlash and a community outcry but for another simple reason.

“This is not about being popular, this is about sending a clear message the game does not tolerate violence, against women or children,” Beattie said at the time.

The ARL Commission made it clear the victim mattered too. For far too long in the world of sport the victim has been shamed or silenced.

It takes strong, considered and brave leadership at the top of a sport to change some old club cultures of ignoring, overlooking, brushing off and hushing up shocking footballer behaviour and implementing a firm rule.

Peter Beattie was a driving force behind the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy Picture: Getty Images

But last year the ARLC did it. Can the AFL too?

In 2013 St Kilda stood by Stephen Milne, who after being charged with three counts of rape went on “leave” and then returned to the football field after missing three games. The next year the rape charges against Milne were dropped after he pleaded to a single charge of indecent assault. Milne avoided conviction and was fined $15,000.

De Goey and another 24-year-old man were on Saturday charged with indecent assault for an alleged incident in Kew in 2015. It was investigated by the Victorian Police in 2018 and by the AFL Integrity Unit. No charges were laid at the time.

De Goey is not set to face court until October 30 and cannot re-join his Collingwood teammates until he passes two COVID-19 tests. Should that occur he is likely fly straight to Perth for the round seven clash against Geelong.

How this latest incident sits with the AFL fan base will soon unfold.

For those who are OK with it, who trot out the ‘innocent until proven guilty line’, if a schoolteacher, doctor, local sport coach was charged with indecent assault would they be treated in the same manner? Would you let your child look up to them, idolise them as if nothing has happened?

Also, how does this incident sit with the AFL’s major sponsor Toyota? Is De Goey playing acceptable to them? How does it rest with Collingwood sponsors such CGU Insurance, LaTrobe Financial and Coles?

There have now been 30 cases involving 61 professional AFL and NRL footballers relating to sexual assault. Not a single footballer has ever been convicted.

There’s clearly more work to be done by many footy codes in this space – and the AFL is lagging.