Jordan De Goey returns for Collingwood as Geelong welcomes Patrick Dangerfield
Jordan De Goey returns to AFL action for Collingwood’s clash with Gold Coast, while Geelong welcomes Patrick Dangerfield for his first game in six weeks.
Most important points:
- De Goey plays his first game for the Magpies since before their farewell round
- The Magpies say De Goey “trained with a lot of energy”
- Dangerfield is back from a gnawing calf injury
De Goey returns after a short absence from the game following the consequences of his ill-fated Bali trip.
“Jordy trained very well[op donderdag[ en hij trainde met veel energie]said Collingwood coach Craig McRae.[onThursday[andhetrainedwithhighenergy”CollingwoodcoachCraigMcRaesaid[onThursday[ andhetrainedwithhighenergy”CollingwoodcoachCraigMcRaesaid
“I caught up with him on Monday and he seemed to be in a good place, he was ready to come back and tackle whatever was going on.
“He comes back full of energy.”
De Goey apologized for his “disrespectful” behavior during the Magpies farewell round after a vision of him partying in Bali was posted on social media.
The 26-year-old also revealed that he had been diagnosed with ADHD and vowed to make changes to ensure he stayed out of trouble.
The apology, issued through the club, came after De Goey lashed out at media on his Instagram page for “the relentless pursuit and persecution of athletes”.
McRae discussed the situation with De Goey and on Thursday dismissed reports that the player was unhappy with the way the club handled its latest off-field saga.
“I met him and his manager, and to be honest, it was about being able to get past and then step forward,” McRae said.
De Goey’s contract expires at the end of the season and McRae will not publicly discuss the midfielder’s long-term future, but has given simple instructions for the remainder of the Magpies’ season.
“I want him to step in and be himself, to be honest — not just in his football, but in things outside of football,” McRae said.
“He’s put a lot of work into that and we’ve seen growth, and he clearly has more to do.
“I’m not going to talk about anyone’s contract, not just Jordy’s, but I’m going to talk about what the next ten weeks look like.
“It’s about just trying to perform at your best, give to the team and be a good teammate.”
Collingwood hopes veteran Jeremy Howe (stomach virus) will miss just one game as the Magpies chase a final spot.
They are seventh on a crowded ladder with a 9-5 win-loss record, one win from second place and one clear from 10th place.
Cats boosted by the inclusion of Dangerfield
Dangerfield is back for Saturday night’s home game for the Cats against lowly North Melbourne after a nagging calf injury.
The 2016 Brownlow medalist will be added back to the lineup by striker Gary Rohan, who was a late pullout against Richmond last week.
Geelong has chosen to rest captain Joel Selwood for the second time this season.
Selwood will be joined on the sidelines by Tom Stewart, who was banned for four games for hitting Richmond’s Dion Prestia in the Cats’ thrilling three-point win over the Tigers on Saturday night.
MONKEY/Australiabusinessblog
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