Veteran AFL columnist Caroline Wilson has criticised Jordan De Goey’s decision to reveal his ADHD diagnosis in a statement where he apologised for his antics in Bali.
Following a week of intense media scrutiny, De Goey cited his condition in a joint statement with Collingwood where he was handed a suspended $25,000 fine.
Wilson said the 26-year-old was « adamant » about ADHD being mentioned in the statement, and questioned why he’d chosen now as the time to reveal his condition.
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« Nobody doubts that Jordan De Goey is suffering from ADHD and has been getting treatment for it, » she told Nine’s Footy Classified.
« I’m disappointed he chose to put it in that particular statement. Frankly, I’ve had a gutful of players referring to their mental health problems every time they get into trouble.
« I’m not denying mental health does not play a massive part in these situations. I simply say again, a lot of people sitting at home who have much worse mental health problems look at privileged males who get to play football.
« Yes it’s a lot of pressure, yes it’s tough, but I think he made a really bad decision to do what he did, given he knows the problems he has with ADHD.
« It doesn’t mean I don’t take him seriously with his problems, I think it was the wrong day to release that information. »
Wilson was not the only senior media member to criticise De Goey for his choice, with 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell also questioning the decision.
« I’m not questioning De Goey’s diagnosis, that’s a personal matter to him. But is it a justification? Is it a legitimate excuse? » Mitchell asked.
« It can’t be a go-to for every AFL player in trouble to say, ‘Oh dear, I’ve got this mental health condition’. Does ADHD turn you into a misogynistic, anti-social Bali boofhead? »
Wilson’s comments came after Collingwood granted De Goey personal leave, with the club confirming he’d miss Sunday’s clash with the GWS Giants.
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Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, who’d personally spoken to De Goey since he’d arrived home from Bali, took offence with Mitchell’s criticisms.
« You got into a person who came out and declared he had a mental health condition that he’s being treated for for a long time, » McGuire told Mitchell in a heated back-and-forth on 3AW on Thursday morning.
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« (I gave) the most benign of critiques last night but you’re happy to come on here when you know a kid’s got mental health issues.
« You know the media does this, the pile-ons, you know there have been people who have committed suicide on the back of people just kicking the hell out of them too far in these situations. »
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