AFL news: Jordan De Goey return date revealed as star Magpie tries to save career

New Collingwood coach Craig McRae has spoken about Jordan De Goey’s future as the Magpies star fights to save his AFL career.

Jordan De Goey of the Magpies in action during the 2021 AFL Round 20 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 31, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is set to fly back into Melbourne this week following his arrest and charges from a night out in New York last month.

The free agent raised hopes he might still save his AFL career with the Pies after a “forcible touching” charge was recently dropped by New York police.

But De Goey still faces serious assault and harassment charges after a nightclub scuffle that will require him to appear in a New York court on December 8.

New Magpies coach Craig McRae said De Goey was set to return home by the end of November.

It is not yet clear whether De Goey intends to appear by video link or whether he’ll return to Melbourne before flying back to New York for his court date.

“I think he’s planning to come back later this month,” McRae said.

“I don’t know the exact details around that, but I think he’s planning to get back as soon as he can.”

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Jordan De Goey is set to fly back into Melbourne this week.

The 25-year-old remains stood down by Collingwood, given the severity of his assault charge, but, if he can downgrade that offence, he might be able to remain at the club with only an internal suspension.

McRae said “time would tell” whether or not De Goey still had a future at Collingwood.

“There’s a bit to play out,” he said,

“I think it’s a bit premature to say whether he’ll be back here training and the like, but one thing I will say is (we’re) just touching base with him regularly to make sure he’s OK.

“Over my journey of working with some great coaches, I’ve learned that you just want to make sure the person is OK and care for the person first.”

Jordan De Goey’s Collingwood future remains unclear. Picture: Michael Klein

When asked if he felt he needed to take a stand to set the culture as the new coach, McRae said: “What I’ve learned over this period in particular is just to be patient with the facts before passing judgment.

“I’ll just let that take its own course, but I’m more concerned about Jordie’s wellbeing.

“I know he’s training hard over there now and think he’s coming to terms with everything, but I won’t go into full detail of everything we spoke about.”

McRae said he wanted to ensure De Goey felt supported by the club.

“At the moment I’m making sure that when the opportunity presents, if it presents, that Jordie will feel that he is well supported,” he said.

“I want all of our players, and not just Jordie, to feel that I’ve got their back and to show love and support when it’s needed.”

Originally published as AFL news: Jordan De Goey return date revealed as star Magpie tries to save career