Former Melbourne star David Schwarz says if Jordan De Goeys’ injury story is proven to be false, the pressure gauge goes to a whole new level for Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.
The Magpies today reported De Goey would miss the opening month of the season after breaking his hand on a door while throwing a toy for his dog.
Schwarz said the fact the young Magpie turned 21 last week created a huge element of doubt around the midfielder’s story.
“I might be putting two and two together and getting six, but there’s plenty of smoke there,” he said on SEN's The Run Home.
“I put this to you. He can avoid six tacklers yet he can’t throw a toy near a door without breaking his hand.
“I don’t think we are hearing everything.
“If ‘Bucks’ finds out he is lying to him he makes ‘Bucks’ look like a fool and puts pressure on him straight away.
“All these injuries do is put pressure on the coach.”
The De Goey incident comes 12 months after Jeremy Howe missed the opening two weeks of last season after breaking a finger while playing frisbee with his dog.
Even before a ball is bounced, the heat is on Buckley after he linked his own coaching career on the fortunes of the Magpies this season.
The recruitment of 32-year-old Wells on a three-year deal has only fuelled the fire given the former Kangaroo returned to training out of shape. He is yet to join full training and is currently out indefinitely.
Other Magpies also ruled out for Friday night’s Round 1 clash with the Bulldogs included Jamie Elliott (back) and Levi Greenwood (hip).
Collingwood has lost its last four matches against the Dogs dating back to 2014.