As gifted as he is on the field, Jordan De Goey is running out of chances to salvage his AFL career.
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The Magpie's boozy antics in New York is the latest in a series of off-field indiscretions and his contract should be terminated if he is found guilty of the serious assault charges he faces.
De Goey, 25, has been given plenty of warnings, yet he continues to find himself in trouble, tarnishing not only his reputation but that of his club Collingwood and the AFL.
After a solid finish to season 2021, De Goey, who has pleaded not guilty, was in the US on a privately-funded trip to undergo an intensive fitness program in preparation for next season.
Making a call on the talented midfielder/forward, who is out of contract at the end of next season, would be the first major test for the new Magpies board headed by the incoming president Jeff Browne.
Collingwood has already acted decisively by banning De Goey from training or making use of club resources, staff or facilities.
With the Magpies embarking on a fresh start under new coach Craig McRae, it is important that the right culture is in place at the beginning of his tenure, even if it means losing a potential match-winner such as De Goey.
Collingwood's infamous 'Rat Pack' from a decade ago is no longer there and the club is keen to portray an image of cultural reinvention after the release earlier this year of the controversial Do Better report, which uncovered a history of systemic racism within the club.
The AFL's image is harmed by incidents such as De Goey's alleged misdemeanours in the Big Apple and it is encumbent on league chiefs to ensure that the punishment fits the crime if the Magpie is found guilty.
Stacky's fond memories of 'Davo'
Keith Stackpole considers himself fortunate that Alan Davidson had retired from first-class cricket before he started playing for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield competition.
The former Test vice-captain and opening batsman was glowing in his praise of Davidson, who died late last month aged 92.
"With his ability to move the ball around, he would've knocked over my leg stump on a few occasions," Stackpole said.
"'Davo' did not have a long run-up, but there has not been a better left-arm fast-medium bowler."
Stackpole said former Australian captain Richie Benaud had enormous faith in Davidson with either bat or ball.
"If 'Davo' had played today, he would be a multi-millionaire and in high demand from franchises around the world," he said.
"He was a great cricketer - he was a terrific batsman at number seven or number eight, a wonderful gully fielder and had a fantastic arm in the outfield."
Stackpole and Davidson played one match together, with the all-rounder coming out of retirement briefly to represent the Prime Minister's XI against the touring Englishmen in 1962-63.
'Stacky' said no one had contributed more to Australian cricket on and off the field more than Davidson, who played 44 Tests between 1953-63.
After he retired, he became the director of the Rothmans National Sports Foundation.
Although this was a commercial operation, the foundation supported all sporting organisations and had the backing of the federal government.
Davidson also devised the first coaching manual in Australian cricket.
Mallett an off-spin trailblazer
Davidson was one of three former Australian Test cricketers to pass away recently.
Stackpole played with and against Ashley Mallett and Peter Philpott and he shared fond memories of both spinners.
Mallett, 76, died after a long battle with cancer.
Philpott, 86, endured complications from a recent fall.
Stackpole said Mallett was a trailblazer for Australian finger spinners.
"It had been considered a waste of time to be an off-spinner in Australia before he came on the scene," he said.
"Since then others such as Bruce Yardley, Tim May, Colin Miller and more recently Nathan Lyon have enjoyed plenty of success at international level here."
Bill Lawry was Mallett's first Test captain, but the off-spinner thrived under the leadership of his successor Ian Chappell.
"He took a while to establish himself in the Test team and 'Chaps' had more confidence in him because he was his captain for South Australia," Stackpole said.
In many of his 38 Tests, Mallett was a member of an illustrious attack consisting of Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson and Max Walker.
His wily off-spin complemented those pacemen superbly.
A handy lower-order batsman, the gangly Mallett was clumsy in the outfield but found his perfect fielding spot in the gully, exhibiting safe hands and quick reflexes.
Philpott played only eight Tests, but captained NSW in a long, distinguished first-class career.
After retiring as a player in the late 1960s, he went on to become a highly-respected coach.
Stackpole recalled Philpott as a versatile all-rounder who loved a chat on the field.
"He was a leg-spinner who batted in the middle order, but was good enough to bat up the order if required," he said.
"He was adept at using flight with his wrist spinners. He was also very good as a fielder close to the wicket.
"He was a good contributor to Australian cricket and even coached the Test team in an Ashes series in England."
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