Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan has been suspended for the opening two rounds of the AFL season after admitting to illicit substance use.
Key points:
- The AFL was made aware of footage of Ginnivan with an illicit substance last month
- He was handed a suspended $5,000 fine on top of his ban
- Ginnivan says he “let down” Collingwood as a consequence of his behaviour
The AFL found Ginnivan guilty of “conduct unbecoming” after footage emerged of him with an illicit substance while in Torquay last month.
The footage was captured by a member of the public during Collingwood’s preseason camp.
Ginnivan has also been banned from Collingwood’s two upcoming preseason matches.
The 20-year-old has been handed a suspended $5,000 fine by the AFL, which said his “conduct constitutes a notifiable adverse finding” under its illicit drugs policy.
Collingwood contacted the AFL’s integrity unit about the incident on Thursday night.
“I want to take ownership of my actions in the vision which shows me with an illicit substance,” Ginnivan said in a Collingwood statement.
“I understand that as an AFL player I have standards I need to meet and, on this occasion, I have fallen well short of the standards expected of me as a footballer and as a representative of Collingwood.
“I am truly sorry to everyone that I have let down with my behaviour. Firstly, my family and the Collingwood football family who each support me so well on and off the field.
“To our club members and fans, our sponsors and the AFL, I am aware my poor decision-making has impacted on all of you and for that I also apologise.
“I have made mistakes along the way and I’m determined to learn from them in order to be the best person and footballer I can be to avoid letting people down which is what I have done here.”
Collingwood’s general manager of football, Graham Wright, said the club was “incredibly disappointed” by Ginnivan’s behaviour.
“We will continue to work closely with Jack, who has owned his behaviour, to provide him with the support and continual education he needs as he continues his journey at Collingwood,” he said.
AFL executive general manager of football, Andrew Dillon, said all players had “a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their professional careers to uphold community expectations”.
Ginnivan made his senior debut with Collingwood in 2021.
He played a key role in the Magpies’ turnaround last season, with the club reaching the preliminary finals a year after finishing 17th on the ladder.
