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St Kilda coach Brett Ratten says club would have to do homework before recruiting Jordan De Goey

Russell GouldNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten says he and the club would want to look at “all the evidence” around Jordan DeGoey’s off-field indiscretions before ruling out a play for the off-contract Collingwood star.

The Saints were linked heavily to De Goey in the wake of the Magpies pulling a four-year, $3.2m deal off the table following his behaviour on a mid-season trip to Bali that resulted in the club imposing a suspended $25,000 fine.

While St Kilda officials were adamant no formal offer had been put to De Goey, who is out of contract at the end of this season and with Collingwood parking talks on a new deal, Ratten said his club would do “homework” on any free agent who was potentially available.

Ratten was conscious any new player would have to fit in with the “culture” he and the coaching staff were trying to develop at St Kilda.

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“We’d have to do our homework and have a look at exactly what has happened and taking all the evidence as you do when you bring in any player, especially opponents from another club,” Ratten said on Wednesday.

“You’re looking at the on-field performance, and you’re looking at what you’re trying to build as a football club and culture and that as well. So we take in both sides of the equation, and then we make decisions around there and all those free agents will be singled out and sort of maybe targeting one or two, if it’s possible.

“We do assess everything they do on and off the field.”

Ratten deferred any potential decision to the club’s list manager, James Gallagher, but confirmed DeGoey’s name had been “brought up”.

“Our club looks at all free agents in the competition. He’s one of those, but you know, that’s more of a question for at least management and what we do as a club going forward,” Ratten said.

“He’s a name that’s been brought up, as has probably 15 others maybe 20 others that are out (of contract). We look at everyone that is there as a free agent.”

Collingwood Presser
Camera IconCollingwood chief executive Mark Anderson talks about the fine imposed on De Goey. David Caird Credit: News Corp Australia

Ratten said while the focus this week had been on AFL players for their behaviour when it cames to social media, after Magpies Jack Ginnivan and Isaac Quaynor were also cautioned for a TikTok video, it was a lesson for everyone about what isn’t acceptable.

“I think it’s a constant reminder for everybody. I don’t think it’s just about players. I think it’s a sign you’re not allowed to just throw things willy-nilly out there and be disrespectful to people and things like that,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if you play AFL, work at the bank or a schoolteacher or just a mum at home. You don’t get the right to do that. And that’s the biggest message … to the broader community about how we respect people.”

Originally published as St Kilda coach Brett Ratten says club would have to do homework before recruiting Jordan De Goey

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