Stood-down Collingwood star Jordan De Goey will reportedly claim self-defence when he fronts a New York court next month charged with assault.
De Goey was arrested, along with his friend Luke Dyson, a fortnight ago over an alleged incident inside a Manhattan nightclub.
De Goey was charged with forcible touching as well, relating to allegations made by a woman, but those have since been dropped.
It’s alleged De Goey and Dyson assaulted a man, who was said to be coming to the aid of the woman.
Dey Goey has been silent since the arrest, bar a short statement released through his lawyer on Friday.
Now, The Age reports De Goey has told his AFL club he was acting in self defence when he punched the man.
The report claims De Goey and Dyson were in a VIP section of the club when women began taking their drinks, and the Magpies star and his friend told them to leave.
De Goey will allege he was then confronted by men, one of whom he punched in self defence.
The rival group was reportedly kicked out of the club, but De Goey and Dyson were arrested a short time later and charged.
De Goey is due to face court again on December 8.