‘I am so remorseful’: Magpies star Ginnivan banned in illicit drugs bombshell

Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan has been suspended for four matches, admitting to taking illicit drugs.

The goal-kicking young gun, 20, admitted on Saturday that he had taken drugs recently in the Torquay Hotel toilets – on a day off after the club’s pre-season camp on Victoria’s Surf Coast. Ginnivan said “a few drinks and a lack of judgement” had let him down.

Seven News was provided with video of Ginnivan at the hotel, sparking an investigation from the network.

Ginnivan, the Anzac Day medallist in last year’s blockbuster against Essendon, will miss two practice matches, and the opening two rounds of the home-and-away season with games against Geelong and Port Adelaide.

“I feel like I have let 44 of my best mates down. I am so remorseful,” said Ginnivan, who was injured in Friday evening’s Collingwood intra-club practice match.

Ginnivan, in an interview with Seven News, replied “yep” when asked if this had been a rare occasion that he took drugs. He later refused to say if this had been the first time he had taken illicit drugs.

“Like I said before, it is an issue in society, so I know this thing always happens around me, but, like I said, I am here to reflect on the now,” he said.

Ginnivan insisted he did not have a drug problem. He said mental health issues, of which he battled last year, were not behind his drug use. He added that he did not know there had been footage of him in the bathroom.

“When I walked into the bathroom, I did not think somebody would be videoing me. That’s, obviously, a private place and I know, I can imagine anyone else, being videoed in a bathroom, would be pretty uncomfortable,” he said.

He said teammates did not know he had taken drugs, and it had been “a struggle to get my words out” when fronting coach Craig McRae.

Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan.Credit: Getty Images

“He has put so much trust in me in the last year … so, to hurt him like that, is going to be a challenge to overcome, but I know he loves me and I love him and, hopefully, we are going to move past it,” Ginnivan said.

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

The dashing half-forward, who courted controversy last year for his ducking when tackled, booted 40 goals in 23 matches, as the Magpies fell just short of the grand final.

Jack Ginnivan.Credit: The Age

“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.

The AFL released a statement on Saturday night, confirming its integrity unit had investigated the incident. Ginnivan has received one strike under the league’s illicit drugs code.

“The AFL confirms Collingwood player Jack Ginnivan has been found guilty of conduct unbecoming and has been suspended for rounds one and two of the 2023 AFL premiership season,” the AFL said.

“The AFL IU was contacted by the Collingwood Football Club on Thursday evening in relation to vision that had emerged of Ginnivan with an illicit substance while in Torquay in January. The IU has interviewed Ginnivan who admitted to the illicit substance use.

“Ginnivan will also not be available to participate in Collingwood’s upcoming match simulation versus Carlton (Friday 24 February) and in the AFL’s official practice round of games (Thursday 2 March vs Hawthorn). He will not be eligible for VFL selection at any time during his suspension.

“A $5000 (suspended) fine has also been applied and his conduct constitutes a notifiable adverse finding under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy. Ginnivan will be required to undertake further education above the current mandated training on illicit substances and its effects.”

The AFL’s executive general manager Andrew Dillon said: “The AFL wishes to reiterate that AFL players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances, and have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their professional careers to uphold community expectations.”

Ginnivan’s spot in the side is likely to be taken by recruit Bobby Hill.

Ginnivan is the second high-profile player in the past year to admit to illicit drug use, following Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith. The Bulldog was handed a two-match suspension in June last year and received one strike following an AFL investigation, in which he said his life had been spiralling out of control when he had taken the drugs during the previous off-season.

Under the illicit drug policy, which has been under review by the AFL for almost a year, AFL medical directors and the player’s club doctor – but not club management – are told of a positive first test, unless there is footage available, as was the case in the Ginnivan case.

It is then referred by the AFL medical officer to the club doctor to determine the best course of action, including what treatment the player should be referred to.

A first strike sparks a suspended $5000 fine, counselling and target testing (where a player identified as a potential user is tested more often) but the player - typically - remains anonymous. Upon a second strike, a player’s name is made public, and he serves a four-match suspension.

A third strike incurs a 12-match suspension. Strikes must be given within four years of each other to be considered second, third or subsequent strikes.

No player has been suspended or named publicly after recording a second strike since the revised policy was introduced in 2015.

There are now no official testing results released to the public, which means supporters are unaware of the prevalence of drug use among players, this coming after the players pushed successfully for the AFL to cease making public the number of drug positives recorded over a year in the competition.

Players felt they had been unfairly treated when numbers were released publicly in the early years of the policy.

Clubs remain split on how the AFL’s controversial illicit drugs policy can be improved, as debate over its effectiveness continues to rage within the community.

After images appeared on social media of Smith with an illicit substance, Hawks president Jeff Kennett called for a two-year ban on players found in possession of illicit drugs, while Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge wondered whether the policy should exist. Kennett reiterated on Saturday that clubs should be told as early as strike one.

The Age’s anonymous survey of club bosses last year showed that significant support remained for the medical model in place, while even those who thought any loopholes that allowed players to take drugs without fear of consequence should be closed indicated the issue remained complex.

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.