MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 29: Alan Didak and Dane Swan run during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session at St Kilda Sea Baths on November 29, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Former Collingwood star Dane Swan has spoken about his pride for Jordan De Goey in keeping the legacy of the ratpack alive at the Magpies.
De Goey was suspended for three weeks and fined $5k for lying to the club about how he injured his hand, after saying he injured it while playing with his dog.
In Swan's first column for foxsports.com.au, the 2011 Brownlow Medallist pens his thoughts on De Goey's situation, the times he lied to the club, and what coming out of the jungle means for him.
Here is an except from Swan's article.
A LOT changed while I was in the jungle.
Andrew Bogut was traded, Aussie spinners began taking wickets and I turned 33. Back home, my phone was cut off and both my credit card and debit card expired. Great news.
But after 46 days in the middle of nowhere, it warmed the cockles of my heart to come back and learn that my legacy at Collingwood lives on.
None of us might be there anymore, but Jordan De Goey’s ratpack-like effort proved that the spirits of Daisy, Heater, Dids, Taz, Johnno and, of course, myself still linger at the Holden Centre.
We all know Collingwood and vanilla just don’t go together – and never will. We’re not the biggest footy club in the land for no reason. We like to sell papers.
So for me, this week’s story was just beautiful.
It would’ve been better if Brayden Maynard, who took over the famous No. 36 jumper, was at the centre of it. But Jordan will do – he’s a good young kid.
Actually, Jordan’s done this quite well. He knows this isn’t a contract year for him – he’s locked in at the Pies until the end of 2018 – so he can have a chunk of the year off, come back next year, play a ripping season then get re-signed again. Very smart.
But there’s one thing Jordan got inexcusably wrong.
Poor old Duke, Jordan’s pet bulldog, was unnecessarily thrown under the bus. He was the one who had to shoulder the blame for his owner’s broken hand.
Personally, I would never, ever have blamed my dog. Barney is my best mate and I love him too much to put him through any stress like that.
It’s obvious Jordan and Duke don’t have the same relationship that Barney and I have. So Jordan, if you ever need some man’s best friend-style training, hit me up. I’ve got plenty of time to kill and my rates are decent.
In fact, I heard before Jordan came out that Collingwood was looking at banning all players that had dogs, after Howie’s Frisbee incident with his dog last year. I thought I’d love the Pies forever, but if they ever ban dogs and bring in a cats-only policy, I’ll be off them.
Check out Dane Swan's full article for foxsports.com.au here.