Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is free to play in the preliminary final after his collision with Adelaide’s Josh Worrell on Thursday night.
The AFL match review handed De Goey a $2000 fine, early plea, for a rough conduct (first offence) charge with the incident rated as careless conduct, low impact and high contact.
Jordan De Goey of the Magpies kicks the ball.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Adelaide defender Mark Keane also dodged a suspension for next weekend’s elimination semi-final for his run-in with Steele Sidebottom with his striking charge (sixth offence) assessed as a $6250 fine (early plea).
De Goey insists his collision with Worrell was “just a smother” when he spoke post game.
De Goey starred in the Magpies’ 11.13 (79) to 8.7 (55) win over Adelaide in their qualifying final on Thursday night, tallying 26 disposals, six clearances and a goal.
The explosive midfielder has found form and fitness at the right time of year after returning last month from a long injury lay-off.
But high contact with Worrell could lead to a suspension that would prevent De Goey from featuring in the Magpies’ home preliminary final in a fortnight.
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Worrell was trying to kick the ball when De Goey came across in an apparent attempt to smother and caught his opponent high.
The AFL match review officer will hand down a verdict on Friday.
“It was just a simple one, I actually blocked the ball with my leg,” De Goey told the Seven Network post-match.
“The replay shows the ball comes off my leg. It’s just a smother.
“I think I got to the ball so it wasn’t like I’ve just gone past and clipped him at all.
“Obviously hit the ball first and then we braced for contact, both of us.”
Worrell wasn’t seriously hurt in the incident and played out the match as one of Adelaide’s most prolific ball-winners.
Worrell also faces scrutiny from the match review officer over his high contact on Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz.
Schultz bent over to gather the ball and was clipped on the head by Worrell, but got up immediately to take his free kick and played out the match.
With AAP
