Jordan De Goey, a midfielder for Collingwood, has drawn criticism after it was discovered that he had removed blood off teammate Darcy Cameron’s face during their Sunday five-point victory against Hawthorn.
Cameron was taken down in a contest with a few minutes left in the last term, and the ball was summoned back to the umpire to be thrown up.
Blood was be seen dripping from the Magpie ruckman’s eye and around his nose as the television cameras focused in on his face.
Cameras then picked up De Goey attempting to wipe the blood off Cameron’s face, likely in an attempt to keep him from being sent off under the blood rule. Cameron was subsequently sent off, with former ruckman Mason Cox replacing him
The AFL has issued the Pies with a please explain, with suggestions De Goey was attempting to keep Cameron on the ground to compete in a crucial ruck contest.
While the 2023 premiership player will not receive a formal punishment, the league is keen to remind him that his action was inappropriate.
“The AFL won’t punish De Goey, but it will make it clear this action is not on,” 9News chief football reporter Tom Morris said on Monday.
“There is a law against deliberately smearing blood on an opponent, but not against this (action) specifically, given Cameron and De Goey are teammates.
“That’s why De Goey won’t be sanctioned, rather reminded not to do it again by the AFL in a phone call this week.
The Pies have begun their season 2-3 after being winless for the opening three rounds of 2024.
They’ll now have a bye, before facing off against Port Adelaide at the MCG.
