HOCKING HAPPY TO HELP MATE
LEOPOLD coach Garry Hocking says he was simply being a mate when he invited exiled Collingwood forward Jordan De Goey to train with the GFL club last week.
De Goey, who was stood down by the Magpies after he was charged with assaulting a man at a New York venue on October 30, was not seen at either of the Lions’ two training sessions this week, but remains a chance of returning to the local league club in the new year as he awaits his fate.
His second charge, for “forcible touching”, was dropped last month but he faced court via video link last week, before his trial was adjourned until January.
Hocking, who played 274 games with Geelong before moving into coaching, developed a relationship and friendship with De Goey in his time as an assistant at Collingwood and said while he did not condone the star forward’s alleged behaviour, there was another side to him that made him want to help out.
“It is just purely a friend helping a friend,” he said.
“We built a connection over our time at Collingwood and we both have a mutual respect.
“I will go on record as saying that I don’t support Jordan’s behaviour – and you are innocent until proven guilty – and I don’t condone violence on any level, but what I do do is support Jordan. “Because I have actually seen the really, really good bits, and I am just another person there like I would be for any of our staff, our volunteers at the footy club, my own family or friends, I would be there for them, and this is just a moment where I am being there for a person who I really admire.”
Collingwood has rejected a joint request from De Goey and his manager to allow him to resume training with the Magpies playing group.
Teammate Brodie Grundy said this week that Collingwood players had been in touch with the 25-yearold but was strong on his views around the club’s decision not to allow him back at the club for now.