Geelong has joined the growing list of clubs considering a free agency play for Jordan De Goey.
De Goey remains on personal leave from Collingwood after a week in which he was hit with a $25,000 suspended fine forced to apologise for his Bali partying video.
The out-of-contract star and soon-to-be free agent also saw the Pies take his $800,000 a year contract offer off the table.
The standoff has sparked renewed talks amid rival clubs over whether to take the plunge on the powerful, but controversy-plagued, match winner.
The Cats are currently debating whether to pursue to De Goey as they continue to defy the AFL’s equalisation process.
History says Geelong have been prepared to back in their culture. The recruitment of previously troubled goalsneak Tyson Stengle has been a raging success, albeit in a far different pay bracket.
St Kilda, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide have all spoken about the need to discuss De Goey. The Saints loom as the most likely destination if De Goey decides to leave Collingwood or if the Pies are now happy to see him leave.
It’s unclear whether De Goey would entertain a move down to Geelong, but Cats coach Chris Scott this week spoke openly about his philosophies on AFL 360.
“I don’t know Jordan at all, but what I do know is that over the years at Geelong we’ve had some success at being really clear that we want players to be themselves and have their personalities shine through – within a framework,” Scott said.
“A good culture in an elite sporting involvement doesn’t involve a 100 per cent of players being ‘straighty 180s’. I reckon you need a few who push the boundaries.
“That’s what they tend to be those high-performers, those uber-competitive players. Some of them are a little bit edgy and they do present a management challenge, but I think you want that as opposed to shying away from it.
“I certainly would favour supporting those types of people as opposed to protecting the brand first and foremost.”