De Goey contract could go to dust after groping allegation

A former Collingwood recruiter believes Jordan De Goey may take a massive financial hit and has scared off potential suitors even if he is found not guilty of two charges before a New York judge.

De Goey and mate Luke Dyson have been charged with “forcible touching” of a woman and attacking her friend during a night out at a Chelsea nightclub in New York.

He appeared before a judge on Sunday and pleaded not guilty. As part of his bail, he must check in with police weekly, and has been ordered to reappear in court on December 8.

Magpie Jordan De Goey pictured leaving a New York court.

Magpie Jordan De Goey pictured leaving a New York court. Credit:Nine News

The Magpies have suspended De Goey indefinitely, leaving his career on a knife edge, regardless of whether he is found guilty of the two charges, which could lead to him being jailed for years.

Former Magpies recruiter Matthew Rendell stressed De Goey, who has previously courted controversy during the off-season, was innocent until proven guilty, but said it was unlikely the 25-year-old could now command a contract of more than the $800,000 a year he would have expected - even if he is free to play next season.

“Put it this way, I think you can rule out the competition,” Rendell said on Monday.

“The only club he will play with is Collingwood. I would have thought not one club would go there, even if he is found innocent. Everyone would look at him and say it’s too much trouble, wouldn’t they?

“Even if he is innocent, it is going to cost him, no matter how good a year he has next year. Wait and see.”

Magpies football department chief Graham Wright had been in talks with De Goey and his new manager Ryan Vague about a new contract. De Goey will be a free agent when his contract expires next season and, at his age, could have commanded a long-term contract, similar to what Richmond superstar Dustin Martin and Melbourne’s Christian Petracca have.

De Goey had gone to California to train at a specialist academy as part of his Monster Energy contract (the company did not respond for comment on Monday) in a bid to return to training next month in prime condition. However, the indefinite suspension and the need to reappear in court means he won’t be on hand when senior teammates gather on December 6.

If he is ultimately free to play, and the Magpies deliver a low-ball, heavily incentivised offer, it would create room in what remains a tight salary cap despite last year’s controversial firesale of talent.

“It would do that. I think he is on around $800,000 … I am tipping they [Magpies] would have budgeted for at least four or five years at least at $800,000 [per year]. Well, they should have been. That could go to dust as well,” Rendell said.

Vague did not wish to comment when contacted by The Age on Monday, other than to say De Goey will release a statement in coming days. The Magpies did not wish to comment.

De Goey had approached Carlton last year about a potential move, but the Blues were not interested.

The Magpies are also working on deals to retain key defender Darcy Moore, a man Rendell says should replace Scott Pendlebury as captain, and the hard-working Brayden Maynard.

While the court case is De Goey’s most serious concern, the AFL integrity department is also investigating, and he could face substantial time on the sidelines for bringing the game into disrepute, regardless of any judicial verdict.

The Magpies, according to leading silk and former board member David Galbally, could also have grounds to sack him. Collingwood have already made it clear their board is leading cultural change, particularly after the Do Better report.

De Goey was in New York while on annual leave mandated in the collective bargaining agreement.

The Magpies, having finished 17th with only six wins this year, were hoping for renewal under new coach Craig McRae but should De Goey be cast aside, their rebuild is likely to take a major hit.

“That’s right - you have lost certainly one of your best three players, certainly one of your most dynamic, by all accounts training his arse off to have a Petracca-like season,” Rendell said.

“De Goey, Maynard, Moore, [Brodie] Grundy, that’s the basis of it [the team]. Throw in all those young kids, then [Jamie] Elliott, [Jack] Crisp, it’s going to hurt,” he said.

“They have got plenty there with De Goey but if he is not there, that’s a massive blow. I don’t know what happens.”

Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via Twitter or email.

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