Iconic AFL journalist Mike Sheahan believes Collingwood should let the playing group decide the penalty for troubled youngster Jordan De Goey after he was caught drink driving on Saturday night with a blood alcohol level of nearly two times the legal limit.
As confirmed on SEN Breakfast by the AFL Players' Association this morning, Collingwood has the option of fining the player up to $10,000 dollars if they determine that he has breached the player's code for the second time.
Sheahan however believes that a more novel approach should be taken into consideration.
“I would try something novel. I’d throw him at the mercy of his playing group. The peer group pressure is the ultimate pressure," Sheahan said.
“I’m saying you get the 45 players in and say ‘you’re representing your footy club here midweek, as distinct to on a match day’, this bloke’s done the wrong thing.
"We don’t want him not playing because he’s too important to us, you tell us what you think we should do to sanction him.”
“It’s a conundrum. There’s no doubt about that.
“He’s a very good player this kid."
Increasing the suspension might not do any good for De Goey, after his second indiscretion in consecutive seasons.
“He’s got to learn like the rest of us do that you can’t drink and drive, and five weeks out from the season this is a major issue,” Sheahan said.
“Maybe it’s a major health issue for him.
“Just saying ‘righto we gave you two weeks last time, we’re going to give you four next time’. I’m not sure that’s the solution.”
Sheahan also believes that a community based sanction might work for De Goey, with the Pies having a great track record with social work punishments.
Although Sheahan is a massive critic of these sort of suspensions, a one day a week sanction that see's him work with the homeless might work best for the 21-year-old.
“If in fact he were told that he had to spend his season – one day a week attending to the homeless, Collingwood have a good record on that social front,” he said.
“If he were made to do that, I would accept that.”