DAVID King’s suggestion for Collingwood to backflip on its suspension of star Jordan De Goey has been heavily criticised by rival SEN footy analysts.
Footy legends Kevin Bartlett and Tim Watson spoke out about Kings plan for the Pies to re-call De Goey for the club’s Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon on Tuesday.
The midfield star was stood down by the club to play three reserve games in the VFL after lying to club officials by saying he suffered a broken hand injury while playing with his dog.
He was then forced to admit he suffered the injury in a bar fight in St Kilda just hours after it senior players had made a decision no Collingwood player would go out drinking the week before their season-opener against the Western Bulldogs.
The 21-year-old has played just one match in the reserves since he was cleared to return from his broken hand.
Goose.Source:News Corp Australia
However, with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley’s position under enormous pressure after another disappointing start to the season with just one win, King on Wednesday night called on the Magpies mentor to backflip out of necessity and play De Goey in the seniors this week.
“I just think there’s more at stake on Tuesday,” King told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
“I know they suspended Jordan De Goey for all the right reasons, but sometimes you’ve just got to say ‘who cares what the world thinks? We’ve got to control our own destiny’.
“Get him in and tell him ‘you’ve got one place you need to pay us back and that’s at 2.30pm on Tuesday afternoon — you give us everything’.
“And you know what? Who cares what the outside world says? Because Buckley’s job, in a lot of ways, is on the line.
“I just think Tuesday is too important to have a player like that — who is a Rolls-Royce, he’s a goalkicker — (you need to) get him in the team.”
David King had a thought.Source:News Corp Australia
Bartlett slammed the North Melbourne great’s surprising suggestion, saying it would “erode all credibility” of Buckley’s regime.
“The footy world’s gone mad,” Bartlett told SEN’s Hungry for Sport.
“I heard yesterday David King say on Fox Footy Collingwood should throw all of its standards out the window and play club suspended midfielder Jordan De Goey against Essendon on Anzac Day.
“The Pies suspended De Goey until he plays 3 games in the reserves. So far he has played one, after lying to the club.
“That’s a silly call by King for such a decision would erode all credibility at a struggling football club. Since when is any player bigger than the club?
“Then I read in The Age today that Hawthorn should consider trading a bunch of good players including Cyril Rioli. Never heard so much rubbish.”
Richmond’s greatest goal sneak — on the right.Source:News Corp Australia
Bombers great Watson also publicly criticised King’s call, saying the club has to stick to their guns to drive performance and behavioural standards from its players.
“Collingwood under no circumstances can play Jordan De Goey until he serves his club suspension,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“It has been suggested by some great football minds the club reverses its penalty and plays the talented De Goey because the club needs his talents.
“Your club values, rules, behavioural standards have to be written in stone, not on the back of a tissue.
“While there is no suggestion anyone from the club that this will occur, the idea cannot be entertained.”
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