Jordan De Goey breaks silence, pictured for the first time since his New York arrest as AFL future hangs in balance
Jordan De Goey has released a statement after being arrested in New York, with his lawyer confirming he will ‘vigorously defend himself’. But what is Collingwood thinking?
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Jordan De Goey has made clear he will vigorously fight “unwarranted” assault charges in New York next month as the Pies ponder his AFL future.
Collingwood star De Goey released a statement on Instagram that did not discuss the incident that saw him charged with assault at the Dream Hotel in New York.
De Goey’s New York lawyer Jacob Kaplan reinforced in that statement that De Goey was not facing charges of forceful touching after being bailed for assault and harassment charges.
The 25-year-old is back in California training with confidantes, but is able to return to Melbourne over the next month before being in New York for his December 8 court date.
The Pies have stood down De Goey indefinitely, and, while sources close to him believe he has a good chance of beating the charges, Collingwood is still frustrated he put himself in this position after so many previous incidents.
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De Goey said of the incident that occurred on October 30: “On the advice of my counsel, I cannot speak about the incident itself or make comment on the current legal matters that are still ongoing. At this stage I will not be making any further comment on this matter”.
His lawyer Kaplan was more forthcoming about De Goey’s plight in a statement attached to De Goey’s post.
“Mr De Goey intends to vigorously defend himself against these unwarranted charges,”Kaplan said.
“Despite the original media reports otherwise, Mr De Goey has not been charged with forcible touching or any sexual assault crimes against a woman. There are no current restrictions on his travel and he plans on using the next few months to continue preparing for the upcoming AFL season.”
De Goey’s friend and training partner Peter Adderton on Thursday hit out at media reports and said the Pies should have stood by De Goey.
On instagram in a series of posts he said there was more to the story than had been revealed.
“The charge should never have been there in the first place, and when the real story comes out a lot of the media will have egg on their faces, and @collingwood_fc leadership should have waited before taking action,” Adderton said.
“Some of the stories I am seeing are simply not true and the truth is not even close to the stories I am reading. There is way more to this than people know.”
Collingwood has reserved judgement on De Goey, but was furious he did not inform the club about his legal issues after being locked up for his alleged role in a dancefloor scuffle.
De Goey back in training as US court date looms
Jordan De Goey has returned to training in California as he awaits a December 8 court date for assault in New York.
De Goey’s management is yet to clarify whether he is allowed to return to Australia before his court date after a dancefloor scuffle at the Dream Hotel in Manhattan.
But he seems likely to remain in California for the time being after training with W Training Facility founder Johnny Louch.
Louch posted photos and a video of the pair on Instagram after a bike ride at Newport Coast, in Orange County.
“Another beautiful day in California,” Louch said.
“Heaps of training today. About 25 miles, 3000 feet of climbing; let’s go Jordy.
“It’s not easy kid but someone has gotta do it. No one said it was gonna be easy. Look at the view, it’s worth it.”
Jordan De Goey resurfaces for the first time since NYC arrest... in California.
— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) November 4, 2021
More: https://t.co/jufmw3sd8kpic.twitter.com/s7ekqBNB8V
It comes with Collingwood increasingly keen to cut ties with De Goey given his latest run-in with the law.
De Goey had forcible touching charges dropped by New York prosecutors this week but still has four charges of harassment and assault hanging over his head.
The 25-year-old is alleged to have punched and kicked a man and continued to do so when he was on the ground after a disagreement over De Goey and friend Luke Dyson’s conduct with a 35-year-old female.
Collingwood might be able to sack De Goey if charges of assault are upheld but if he has them downgraded or dropped their options are limited.
They would have to make a case he had breached his Collingwood contract and might have to negotiate a hefty settlement with the Pies.
De Goey was to be a free agent next year, and even if he had left the club they would likely have secured a first-round compensation selection at the end of 2022.
But if they decide he has become a distraction they can no longer tolerate they might choose to cut ties with him, which could allow him to sign up as a summer rookie or mid-season selection with another club.
Louch said last week he was keen to get De Goey out of his comfort zone after Monster Energy drink sponsored his exemption to fly into the United States.
“We get all different athletes come out here and train with us because personal training wise, it’s one of the best places in the world to train,” he said.
“Also, you get out of your comfort zone. It doesn’t matter how fit an athlete is, especially someone like ‘Jordy’. He’s in shape, but what happens with a lot of athletes is they plateau, they do the same stuff over again.
“It’s good to get him out of his comfort zone. Someone like him, he’s not a quitter, that’s for sure. We brought other athletes out here who ended up walking home.”
Maclure: AFL must not waste opportunity to send message
—Mark Maclure
If I were a teammate of Jordan De Goey, I wouldn’t want to play with him.
Forget about his latest off-field stuff up for a second, let’s consider the on field and the passage of play that sums him up as a player.
It was in the dying stages of the 2018 grand final when he was playing on Eagle Jeremy McGovern and with the Magpies clinging to a two-point lead.
Adam Treloar kicked the ball into Collingwood’s 50 and De Goey stayed back hoping his opponent would miss it, it would go out the back and he could kick the hero goal.
Instead, McGovern marked it, the ball went down the field and it ended with Dom Sheed marking and goaling from the pocket.
All De Goey had to do was push the ball over the line or bring it to ground and Collingwood win that grand final.
That was the perfect example of how he plays because he picks and chooses too often.
It was game over that day after he did that, and it could be career over now less than three years later.
This latest incident is just history repeating itself.
He just seems to keep finding ways to get into strife.
The likes of Magpies skipper Scott Pendlebury and Taylor Adams must be horrified at what’s gone on here.
I get the sense he feels entitled to do whatever he wants to do in life.
On the field, it’s not consistently stacking up for him.
Looking at his stats for the season just gone, he kicked 1.3 goals and laid two tackles per game.
That’s not A-grade.
Is he overrated and overpaid?
Those are the questions people will ask and answer.
I was of the opinion before this latest incident that Collingwood should have already moved him on.
He has some talent but he picks and chooses when he wants to play and when he wants to go for the ball, which is just not acceptable.
I feel for new coach Craig McRae because he’s been left in a terrible situation.
He’s got to make a big decision about someone he doesn’t really know.
Although, it won’t be directly made by him as it’ll be a decision for the board.
And, beyond that, it’s for the AFL, who should come to the party and put something down on him as well.
He’s representing Australia over there and his football club, and he’s let them all down.
It’s time for some tough love because the opposite hasn’t worked.
Every time the Pies have put their arm around him, he’s continued to mess up.
There’s the opportunity here to send a message to players from every club – this is what you don’t do.
He’s got enough talent to show people he can play, but is he worthwhile or would you rather someone who is going to always have a go?
I’ve never met him, but I’ve watched enough of him.
He’s one of the highest paid players there, but does he pull his weight?
Is he actually worth what he’s getting paid?
His statistics don’t add up in terms of what he’s getting.
Does this football club need this amount of trouble? Not really.
And particularly with a new coach at the helm who’s trying to set the culture.
There is consideration here for the AFL to deregister him, but will they go that far?
We’ll have to wait to see what happens on December 8 with his court case and, if he gets a poor result, I think the AFL will act.
If you go to America to train, then you train.
But he’s messed up again, and I can assure you the Americans won’t be too kind.
—Mark Maclure is a FOX FOOTY commentator and a former Carlton great
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