De Goey and his manager Ryan Vague had wanted the match-winning forward-midfielder to be able to at least train at the club while the court case was ongoing,but that request was denied - a call Grundy endorsed.
“Until things play out,I am just supporting what the club is putting in place. Jordan is entering his eighth season now,he is a professional,I think he’ll be a big enough boy training away from the group and that is going to play out in the next five to six weeks,” Grundy said.
De Goey is missing valuable time in which the Magpies are learning a revised game planunder new coach Craig McRae. Grundy said it would be up to De Goey to get up to speed as soon as possible,should he be welcomed back to the club.
“There is no reason why Jordan can’t be upskilled in the game plan and any stuff like that,” Grundy said.
“It’s just going be on him,it’s going to be a challenge for him to be able to keep up his conditioning and to come in,but I am sure,if and when that happens,he will be desperate to put his best foot forward.”
The Magpies,set to have a new board later this week with Jeff Browne the likely president,will wait until De Goey’s case is settled in court before making their own call on his future. Depending on the verdict,their options include suspending him,or not playing him for the rest of the season.
De Goey is a free agent next season but had held preliminary contract negotiations with the club before finding himself in more trouble.
He had been training in California as part of his contract with Monster Energy and took a break in Manhattan for Halloween,where he allegedly became involved in a scuffle.
He faces four charges,including assault with intent to cause injury,in the New York Criminal Court. The Magpies,with the AFL’s support,stood him down indefinitely after the news broke. This latest incident adds to the frustration the Magpies are feeling.
In August, prosecutors withdrew an indecent assault charge stemming from an alleged incident in 2015.
In a separate case in August,he was fined $2075 after pleading guilty to road offences,including speeding while driving a sports car when he was a P-plater,and sending text messages when stationary at traffic lights.
In 2018,De Goey wascaught drink-driving while on his P-plates and fined $10,000 and suspended by Collingwood. That incident came a year after he was suspended by his club forlying about how he suffered a broken hand in a bar fight in St Kilda.
On a day Grundy unveiled South Australian draftees Arlo Draper,Cooper Murley,and Harvey Harrison,he revealed he had shed three kilograms in the off-season in a bid to return to his best form. He finished sixth in the Copeland Trophy count last season.
“I have lost a few kilos,trimmed up,just trying to give myself the best opportunity to play my best footy. I think that starts with having a pretty good pre-season and just getting as fit as I can,” he said.