Jordan DeGoey's manager has hit out at a "trial by media" after the AFL star was cleared to resume training with Collingwood.
The ace midfield-forward rejoined his Magpies teammates late last month after the club immediately stood him down when he was arrested and charged over an incident at a New York bar on October 30.
De Goey will undergo anger management therapy after pleading guilty to a downgraded charge of harassment after he appeared on Saturday in a Manhattan court via video link.
The 25-year-old's manager, Ryan Vague, said the whole process had been tough for De Goey, particularly when "every person in Victoria, and probably Australia had a say on it".
"For three months of somewhat trial by media, respectfully, that was probably the hardest part for Jordan, his family, close friends and his supporters that know Jordan pretty well," Vague told SEN.
"Relief would be an understatement but we're all about moving forward now and Jordan's focus is all on the 2022 season.
"I was at the coalface at the start and was able to speak with Jordan within hours of the incident, speak with his legal team ... and just get a gauge on everything on what would have happened.
"I'd probably say within 24-48 hours we felt a lot more comfortable in what we knew, the facts, and then it was just about working through the legal process and getting Jordan back to Australia and reinstated at Collingwood.
"Probably early on, I knew which way it was tracking and knew the whole truth and so did Jordy, so we were very comfortable with that.
"It was then had to go through with the process, which was probably the hardest part."
De Goey travelled to the US following the end of the 2021 season to undergo an intensive training program due to his sponsorship and work arrangements with Monster Energy.
He had been training in California, before making the fateful decision to fly to New York for a Halloween-themed party.
"Jordan definitely understands the seriousness of the situation, and he did from the start," Vague said.
"He's extremely remorseful for putting himself in that situation and has apologised for that.
"I think now we've got some really good things in place at the club, he's got some great support around him to assist him."
De Goey will also work with leading charity The Salvation Army in Melbourne as part of an agreement of returning to training at Collingwood.
The former first-round draft pick was in close to career-best form at the end of last season, excelling when he had a permanent spot in the midfield.
