‘No excuses’: Gillon McLachlan takes aim at Jordan De Goey defence
The Jordan De Goey saga continues to play out in the wayward star’s absence and even the AFL’s boss is taking a shot at the Magpie.
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AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has taken aim at Jordan De Goey’s ADHD defence, saying it is “no excuse for what’s going on”.
De Goey has been in the headlines for a full week after the Collingwood star with a history of off-field indiscretions was filmed partying in Bali during the bye week break.
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It’s been a rough week for both Collingwood and De Goey, who have been savaged by former players and pundits as the video spread over social media.
McLachlan believes De Goey took things a bit too far when he linked his recent ADHD diagnosis to the Bali incident.
“Anyone with medical conditions needs to be taken seriously. Mental health is a real issue, so I am absolutely supportive of people talking about their issues,” McLachlan said on 3AW.
“I think the point I would make here is, it’s important context, but it’s not an excuse for what’s going on.
“When people start getting into all that, it’s not my space. I am pretty clear, I don’t think it’s an excuse. It’s worth talking about because people, I think, it’s important to talk about the conditions they have and to get treatment but I don’t think it’s an excuse here instinctively.”
McLachlan was frustrated by the situation but said the AFL was satisfied by the Magpies’ punishment for De Goey — which resulted in a suspended $25,000 fine.
“I won’t get into the individual specifics other than to say our position at the AFL is really clear – there is no place other than behaviour across our community that has total respect for women,” McLachlan said.
“That’s our position. The video has created a debate across the community and, ultimately, the assessment of Collingwood, it was behaviour that didn’t respect women and they have taken action.”
The debate over the ADHD also sparked a heated debate between Eddie McGuire and 3AW host Neil Mitchell on radio on Thursday.
De Goey was seen making rude gestures to the camera and also tugging at a woman’s top.
The woman involved, Remy Jackson, posted about how she was surprised by the backlash, before De Goey said the “relentless pursuit and persecution of athletes by the media …
will end in tragedy if no one speaks up”.
A $3.2m deal was taken off the table by the Magpies and De Goey has since been granted personal leave from the club with no time frame on a return.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed he knew of De Goey’s ADHD diagnosis from his first days in charge and although he couldn’t guarantee his future at the club, said he wanted to “get my arms around him”.
McRae spoke to the media on Friday and said he did not know exactly why De Goey has taken leave.
“I don’t know. I don’t know the detail of what has caused or triggered Jordan to be in a space to not come in,” McRae said.
“(Psychologist) Jacqui Louder is working really closely with him and has done for a long time.
“We are looking for Jordy to step in (to the club).
“I’m here with open arms, I’m waiting to go give him a cuddle when he steps through our doors.
“All we can do is offer our support and educate. I think football clubs offer a great resource for players and in normal life you don’t get the resources we do to support guys like Jordan.”
The latest De Goey drama comes after he was fined $10,000 by the AFL in March for his involvement in a late-night incident in New York last year.
He has a long list of other offences as well, including road offences such as speeding while driving a sports car as a P-plater, driving while suspended and using a handheld device, drink-driving on his P-plates, and lying to Collingwood after breaking his hand in a bar fight.
Originally published as ‘No excuses’: Gillon McLachlan takes aim at Jordan De Goey defence
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