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Jordan De Goey bump on Elijah Hewett leaves AFL world up in arms

AFL fans were left seething after the controversial moment.

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured left, Jordan De Goey putting a bump on West Coast AFL star Elijah Hewett.
Jordan De Goey left West Coast AFL star Elijah Hewett concussed after a late and high bump on Saturday. Pic: Fox Footy/Getty

Collingwood forward Jordan De Goey's Brownlow Medal hopes are all but over after a nasty incident against West Coast that's seen AFL fans call for a lengthy ban for the Magpies star. De Goey was guilty of a controversial bump on West Coast youngster Elijah Hewett that left the Eagles star concussed during Collingwood's 63-point win in Perth.

Hewett had just fired off a handball when De Goey came through and made forceful contact with his shoulder to the head of his opponent. The devastating contact landed flush on Hewett's face in the opening term of Collingwood's 18.12 (120) to 8.9 (57) win on Saturday.

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The incident flattened the young Eagles player, who was treated by the team's medical staff before being ruled out of the remainder of the contest with concussion. The hit is almost certain to land De Goey with an extended stint on the sidelines , with the AFL taking a dim view of players who opt to unnecessarily bump opponents.

The high nature of the hit and the fact Hewett was concussed will also play against De Goey, who could be referred straight to the AFL Tribunal. If that's the case, De Goey will face a minimum ban of three weeks.

Viewers took a dim view of the incident, with many AFL fans insisting that a three-game ban should be the minimum for De Goey after a hit that sparked widespread backlash. Whatever the suspension ban ends up being, it spells the end of De Goey's Brownlow medal hopes.

"I hope the young lad (Hewett) is OK," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said afterwards. "That's where our concern goes to. Jords is a fair player and the rules will be the rules.

"It's split seconds, isn't it? Do I go in and tackle, or do I bump or smother? He's a great kid Jordy (De Goey). I don't know how he is personally, emotionally after the game, but he's a fair player and I think history will show that."

Seen here, Collingwood AFL star Jordan De Goey.
Collingwood star Jordan De Goey copped plenty of backlash after the bump against West Coast. Pic: Getty

Magpies too good for brave Eagles

West Coast were reduced to just two fit men on the bench after quarter-time and the Pies looked set for an easy win after skipping out to a 46-3 lead early in the second term. However, the home side launched a frenetic fightback and would have closed the gap to nine points had Andrew Gaff not kicked erratically from 35 metres out in the third quarter.

Gaff's miss proved costly, with Collingwood booting nine of the next 10 goals to secure their eighth straight win. In contrast, the result was West Coast's 10th straight loss - setting a record losing run for the Eagles.

"That's for you to write about," was Eagles coach Adam Simpson's shrift response when asked about the new record. Hewett was one of three Eagles players injured in the opening quarter. Connor West damaged his knee when a teammate crashed into his legs, while Shannon Hurn injured his right hamstring late in the term. Star defender Tom Barrass was also ruled out before the match with a hip injury.

Collingwood had their own injury concerns to Beau McCreery and Will Hoskin-Elliott. Magpies rising star Nick Daicos continued his hot form with 30 disposals and three goals, while Ash Johnson, Bobby Hill and Brody Mihocek kicked three goals apiece in the victory.

with AAP

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