Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has escaped with the minimum three-match ban for the brutal bump that concussed West Coast youngster Elijah Hewett and sparked debate in the AFL community.
De Goey threw himself at the mercy of the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night, pleading guilty to the rough conduct charge and telling the three-member jury how remorseful he was.
Opinion had been split as to whether De Goey should receive a three, four, or five-week ban for the bump.
Eagles midfielder Dom Sheed went as far as saying De Goey should be rubbed out for one or two months, before later apologising for that comment.
AFL counsel Andrew Woods pushed for a four-week suspension, saying the vicious nature of the hit and the fact it caused a concussion meant it didn’t warrant the minimum three-week ban.
The three-person jury of chairman Jeff Gleeson, Jordan Bannister and Stewart Loewe deliberated for 27 minutes before settling on three weeks.
It means De Goey will miss matches against Melbourne, Adelaide and Gold Coast before returning for the round 17 clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Jordan De Goey. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
During evidence, De Goey said he regretted the bump straight away.
“I don’t go out there to play my footy in a dirty way,” he said.
“To see someone get injured like that is disappointing. I wanted to make sure his wellbeing was OK.
“Directly after the game I followed up with (Eagles veteran) Shannon Hurn to ask if Elijah was on the bench so I could give him a verbal apology.
“Unfortunately he went down to the rooms … so I proceeded to send him an apology text message. He was appreciative of the message.”
Woods used Adelaide forward Shane McAdam’s bump on GWS defender Jacob Wehr from earlier this year as part of his push for a four-match ban for De Goey.
McAdam received a three-match ban for that hit, but Woods pointed out it didn’t result in a concussion.
“Here (with De Goey) we have a similar action with a serious injury, being concussion,” Woods said.
“The amount of force deployed on Hewett – that puts this at more than that three-week entry level sanction.
“The player turns, flexes, raises his shoulder, positions his body sideways, leaves the ground briefly – all in the name of increasing impact.
“Looking at that footage, it could have involved a broken jaw or other broken bones in the head. There was potential for even more injury.”
Stephen Russell, acting on De Goey’s behalf, said a three-week penalty would be fair, citing the Magpie star’s remorse and decision to plead guilty at the earliest chance.
He also said De Goey’s bump was a split-second decision after Hewett had fired off a handball.
“The player struck by McAdam (in that other example) was standing still. In this incident, the major part of the momentum is coming from Elijah,” Russell said.
“Your opportunity to even get out of the way is limited.
“He (De Goey) has chosen to provide a hip and shoulder. He’s done it incorrectly.
“But applying a hip and shoulder is still within the rules. It has gone badly wrong, and that’s why he pleads guilty to the charge.
“It’s been done at the very earliest opportunity and it’s a clear show of remorse.”
Realist
Roar Rookie
Still sooking Don? :laughing:
Kevo
Roar Rookie
I would still say 3 weeks was a fair result regardless, if it was the same sort of split second hit as DeGoeys. "Collingwood supporters were calling for capital punishment".....more hysterical rubbish. Clean up the excrement in your own back yard please.
Macca
Roar Rookie
But what releveance has that to this? Classic whataboutism.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I think you'll agree Macca, Cripps getting off on a technicality was universally condemned by most before the karma bus hit him in that fateful holding the ball in the final minutes of your 2022 season.
Macca
Roar Rookie
So I ask for similarities and you give me a “difference”? And that is the only difference you can see? (Even though both De Goeys feet were off the ground at impact) Honestly Peter – why do you bother with this nonsense.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The difference is Cripps jumped up in the air to cause greatest impact.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Peter I asked you this yesterday but you ignored it, what are the similarities between Cripps incident and this one? And you do realise it is possible that my point about the completely different language used by the commissioner and Cripps got lucky at the tribunal can both be true?
mrl
Roar Rookie
Exactly, those young people are not pretending to be tough. Put Degoogegey in an International Rugby match and he will be way out of his depth.
poider
Roar Rookie
More Donsy silliness. But then . . . you do love the drama.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
yeah Macca because the Cripps overrule on a technicality was so fair! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Every second young person has tatts mrl, are they all acting tough?... catch up with the program son or graciously withdraw....you're out of your depth in here.
poider
Roar Rookie
So . . . you're denying it are you, Donsy?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You seem to think calling someone female is an insult. You really do struggle in an adult community.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Have you thought about what you just said? Hmmm!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You know that doesn't make sense?
poider
Roar Rookie
3 weeks is a fair result. Stewart received 4 weeks for a similar yet worse action. Great to see the W.A. JDG Tax wasn't imposed! Add to that the Being Victorian Tax and sheesh . . . would have been 8 weeks at least!
poider
Roar Rookie
You are typically a 'drama queen', Donsy. Being male or female is irrelevant.
Opps74
Roar Rookie
Neither of you are
RT
Roar Rookie
Oops that’s what I meant. Ughh. Fixed.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He should have tackled.