AFL says apology sufficient from Jack Crisp over lewd videos

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright has revealed details of the AFL’s interview with Jack Crisp over the lewd videos saga.

Jack Crisp. Picture: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright says he does not know whether the AFL Integrity Unit asked Jack Crisp if he had taken illicit drugs in his interview on Tuesday.

The league decided not to punish Crisp, who has apologised and will undergo further education after disturbing historical content was uploaded to social media last week.

Crisp was interviewed by the AFL Integrity Unit after uploaded content showed a man scrolling through several Snapchat images, many featuring a bearded Crisp above messages, with some referencing illicit substances, as well as a graphic image.

But in separate statements on Tuesday the AFL and Collingwood confirmed Crisp would not be sanctioned after admitting he sent the images to another person.

Wright said he was “not 100 per cent sure” whether a reference to “having some lines” in one of the leaked videos of Crisp which emerged last week was discussed with the Collingwood midfielder.

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright says the Magpies did not know the details of the interview between the integrity unit and Crisp. Picture: David Crosling

When asked if Crisp had admitted to taking drugs in the interview with the integrity unit, Wright said: “No”.

“The interview was done with the AFL … I wasn’t privy to that today, but they’ve determined that an apology was where it’s at,” he said.

“I spoke to Tony Keane and Andrew Dillon this afternoon and they were really comfortable with where it’s at.

“From our perspective we’ll support (Crisp) … this was four or five years ago, it’s a historical video – he’s made significant steps in that period of time.”

Wright was not specific about the education program Crisp would undertake at the AFL’s direction, but said it would focus on the appropriate use of social media.

“Mainly around social media, he’ll take on significant education around that,” he said.

“All of our players are provided that obviously each year, and they do a certain amount of stuff through the AFLPA as well.”

Crisp will be free to play and continue his record active streak of consecutive matches, which currently sits at 191. Picture: Michael Klein

Wright said it was again disappointing to be addressing the poor behaviour of a Collingwood player after a spate of incidents over the last two years, but was adamant Crisp had changed his ways since the time the messages in the videos were sent.

“We’re disappointed to be in a situation where we’re answering questions around players’ behaviour, but this is historic, something from four or five years ago that Jack as he alluded to before has addressed with his family,” Wright said.

“I would certainly hope (Crisp has changed). He’s a two-time best and fairest winner here, he’s been a real role model around the club. He's made significant progress in his own life since that video was taken.”

Crisp apologised to his family and the Magpies for his actions, saying he had worked through the matter years before.

“Firstly I’d like to apologise to my wife, family and the Collingwood Football Club. I don’t condone the actions … what I presented a number of years ago,” Crisp said.

Collingwood advises the AFL has today met with Jack Crisp.

Full club statement:

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) April 11, 2023

“Myself and Mikayla worked through this privately four or five years ago. Since then I’ve done a number of years of work growing myself as a person, to be a better father, husband and a better role model at the football club.

“I appreciate all the support I’ve had over the last week from my wife as well, I’m not a finished product, I will be continuing to grow as a person with the support of my wife and the football club.”

“While the content was produced a number of years ago, and Jack has shown significant improvement in his behaviour, the incident serves as a reminder to all players to understand the responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their professional careers.” AFL executive general manager Andrew Dillon said.

In assessing the situation, the AFL took into consideration Crisp’s acknowledgment of his behaviour, his track record in the years since the content was produced and the public apology, the league said.