Collingwood AFL star Jack Ginnivan banned over drug use

Shayne Hope | February 18, 2023

Collingwood young gun Jack Ginnivan has been suspended for the opening two rounds of the AFL season after admitting to using an illicit substance.

The 20-year-old’s confession came after a video emerged of him with illicit drugs while he was in Torquay in January, following the Magpies’ pre-season training camp.

The AFL integrity unit interviewed Ginnivan as part of its investigation and found the player guilty of conduct unbecoming.

“I want to take ownership of my actions in the vision which shows me with an illicit substance,” Ginnivan said in a Collingwood statement on Saturday.

“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.”

Ginnivan kicked 40 goals during the Magpies’ stunning rise to a preliminary final last season in coach Craig McRae’s first year at the helm.

The livewire forward is banned from playing against reigning premiers Geelong and Port Adelaide in the opening two rounds of the season and will not be eligible to play in any of Collingwood’s scheduled practice matches.

Ginnivan apologised for his actions.

“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,” Ginnivan said.

Ginnivan has often been in the spotlight since his debut in 2021 and won the Anzac Day Medal in a breakout five-goal performance against Essendon last year.

He has often come under fire for attempting to draw free kicks and admitted last year the fierce scrutiny on his approach to the game had taken a toll on his mental health.

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said the club is “incredibly disappointed” in Ginnivan’s drug use.

“All players and staff are continually educated on appropriate behaviours and we expect everyone at our club to uphold the highest of standards as representatives of the wider Collingwood community, our members, supporters and corporate partners,” Wright said in the club statement.

“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.”

On top of his playing ban, Ginnivan has also been hit with a $5000 suspended fine.

He will not be eligible for VFL selection during the suspension.

The AFL said Ginnivan will be required to undertake further education above the current league-mandated training on illicit substances and their effects.

“The AFL wishes to reiterate that AFL players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances,” AFL executive member Andrew Dillon said in a league statement.

“(They) have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their professional careers to uphold community expectations.”

Ginnivan suffered a minor knee injury at training this week but that setback was not expected to interrupt his pre-season.