Collingwood star Jordan De Goey will be available to play in the preliminary final following a collision with Adelaide’s Josh Worrell during the qualifying final on March 15, 2024. The AFL match review determined that De Goey’s actions constituted careless conduct, resulting in a $2,000 fine for rough conduct, but no suspension.
De Goey’s collision occurred while he attempted to smother the ball, catching Worrell high. The incident was classified as low impact and high contact. Speaking after the match, De Goey insisted that his intention was to block the ball, stating, “It was just a simple one, I actually blocked the ball with my leg.” He emphasized that he made contact with the ball first before bracing for the impact.
In the same match, which saw Collingwood defeat Adelaide 11.13 (79) to 8.7 (55), De Goey delivered an impressive performance, recording 26 disposals, six clearances, and a goal. His return to form follows a lengthy injury layoff, making his contributions particularly vital during this critical stage of the season.
Worrell, who was not seriously injured in the incident, continued to play and was noted as one of Adelaide’s most effective ball-winners. He is also under review by the AFL for a separate incident involving Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz, where he made high contact while Schultz was bent over to gather the ball. Schultz quickly resumed play after the incident.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming matches, the focus will shift to the clash between Geelong and Brisbane at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The match is set to begin at 19:40 AEST, and fans eagerly await the showdown between these two competitive teams.
With both teams having shown strong performances throughout the season, the stakes are high as they vie for a place in the next round of the finals. As the AFL postseason unfolds, all eyes will be on the players and their ability to perform under pressure.
