Collingwood has admitted that De Goey’s future isn’t tied to the legal outcome in New York
As Jordan De Goey’s future at Collingwood remains in limbo, Pies premiership star Heath Shaw says the club could pay a big price if he isn’t part of the team next season.
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Premiership player Heath Shaw says Collingwood desperately needs to welcome back Jordan De Goey or it could be a long season for a club which finished second-last this year.
The Herald Sun revealed last week that De Goey – who was stood down by the Magpies immediately after his messy night out in New York – felt he had been abandoned by the club he has called home for the past seven years.
The matchwinner is due back in Australia this week and is set to defend his assault and harassment charges via Zoom on December 8 when he dials into a Manhattan courtroom.
“The old saying goes you’re innocent until proven guilty, and at the moment a few of those charges were dropped straight away,” Shaw told News Corp as Shane Warne launched KFC SuperCoach BBL.
“He’s a very good player. He got himself into a bit of trouble over there – but it’s a big asset to lose.
“Especially for a team like Collingwood who have struggled, so I hope he gets back, everything is cleared up and then he’s just back playing footy.”
New York police have dropped De Goey’s “forcible touching” charge.
Magpies football boss Graham Wright said De Goey, 25, would remain stood down at least until the club comes face-to-face with their marquee goalkicker.
“That behaviour over a period of time has found us in a situation where we felt it was the right thing to do for the football club to stand him down,” Wright said last week.
“It’s a concern, and a concern that he’s found himself in a situation where the absolute best scenario for him is he’s been in New York and got into a bar-room fight that’s seen him arrested, regardless of what happens with the court case.
“We’re really disappointed in it.”
Shaw was unsure whether De Goey would remain at Collingwood beyond next season, when he qualifies for restricted free agency.
“It might’ve been a bit premature (to stand him down),” Shaw said.
“But at some point clubs think they have to make a stand, and they have.
“It’s not that he’s going to stop training or preparing himself to play, but he just won’t be in at the club.
“It’s a sticky situation. It’s very, very grey. I hope he gets back and is playing at Collingwood next year because he’s a gun and his second half of the year was unbelievable.
“If he had a full season of that, who knows what the Pies could do and what he could achieve as well?
“There might be a few tough conversations around that (re-signing beyond 2022), especially if he does stay on next year and the way it’s all been handled now.
“But it is what it is in a way. Clubs make decisions based on the whole club and not based on one player.
“I think he’ll be fine, I think he’ll be playing at Collingwood next year. Beyond that, who knows?”
Why De Goey camp is frustrated with Magpies
Jordan De Goey could dial into a New York courtroom via Zoom to defend his assault and aggravated harassment charges, although a not-guilty verdict might not be enough to save his career at Collingwood.
The Magpies expect their troubled superstar to return to Australia next week, but it remains unclear whether he would have to return to the United States for the hearing on December 8.
Football boss Graham Wright floated the possibility of De Goey attending via video link from Melbourne.
But Wright said De Goey had been stood down by Collingwood because of his history of off-field blemishes and that his football future was not solely tied to the legal outcome in New York.
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“That behaviour over a period of time has found us in a situation where we felt it was the right thing to do for the football club to stand him down three or four weeks ago,” Wright said on Wednesday night.
“It’s a concern, and a concern that he’s found himself in a situation where the absolute best scenario for him is he’s been in New York and got into a bar-room fight that’s seen him arrested, regardless of what happens with the court case.
“We’re really disappointed in it, we’ve obviously stood him down until we get face-to-face with him and see where the court case goes and what’s happening with that.
“We’re in that sort of holding pattern at the moment.”
It is understood the De Goey camp is also frustrated with Collingwood because the 25-year-old felt his club had abandoned him before a proper debrief on his night out in the Big Apple.
De Goey — who headlines the 2022 list of free agents — has had his “forcible touching” charge dropped by New York police.
“We suspect he’ll be back (in Australia),” Wright told 3AW.
“There is the opportunity that if the court case actually goes to court that he could do that via Zoom.
“I don’t know exactly when he’s back, no.”
Wright also tempered expectations on the Magpies, who finished 17th this season and have committed to a lengthy rebuild.
They expect to bring in 20 new players in 2020-2022, having acquired 10 fresh faces last year with a clear list focus on stockpiling talent at the draft.
“I would’ve thought we’re a couple of years away, to be honest,” Wright said.
“I would’ve thought we’re somewhere in the 2023-2024 category to be competitive in relation to the (top) eight.
“And then to be a Grand Final team and a premiership team you’ve got to put yourself in the top-four position and then get a bit of luck.
“I would’ve thought we’re a little way off that right now.
“We were 17th for a reason – we did have some injuries, but most clubs do.”
Wright has not met with Jeff Browne, who is expected to take over as president in the off-season.
The Magpies will hold their Annual General Meeting virtually on December 16.
Originally published as Collingwood has admitted that De Goey’s future isn’t tied to the legal outcome in New York
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