Jack Ginnivan admits to illicit substances use, found guilty of conduct unbecoming by AFL

Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan has faced the music after being slapped with a two match ban for taking illict drugs.

Collingwood young gun Jack Ginnivan has been suspended by the AFL after sensationally confessing to taking illicit drugs during a Magpies training camp last month.

Ginnivan was caught on camera using drugs in the toilets of the Torquay Hotel on a day off in late January.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands that a member of the public filmed the incident from over a toilet door at the venue, with Ginnivan and another person in the cubicle at the time inhaling a white substance off a key.

It is believed the substance was ketamine.

The 20-year-old had been at the hotel with friends as well as teammates, but said that other Collingwood players were not involved and were unaware of his drug use at the time.

Ginnivan said he wanted to “take ownership of my actions in the vision which shows me with an illicit substance” in a statement.

Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan has been suspended. Picture: Michael Klein

“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 all of you and for that I also apologise.

“I have made mistakes along the way and I’m determined to learn from them.”

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said the club was “incredibly disappointed” by Ginnivan’s actions but would continue to work “to provide him with the support and continual education he needs”.

The Magpies contacted the AFL’s integrity department on Thursday night after becoming aware of the incident, with Ginnivan subsequently admitting to the illicit substance use in interviews with the league.

The AFL on Saturday night confirmed that the small forward had been suspended for four matches and had received a $5000 suspended fine for breaching its Illicit Drugs Policy.

The suspension means Ginnivan will not take part in either of Collingwood’s two pre-season matches or its first two games of the home and away season against Geelong and Port Adelaide.

Ginnivan said he “definitely” did not have a drug problem and it was a rare occasion, but would not be drawn on whether it was the first time he had taken an illicit substance when questioned by Seven News.

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

Ginnivan on 7News.

“I feel like I’ve let 44 of my best mates down, the club, 100,000 people,” Ginnivan said. “For me, I’m so remorseful for that.

“I can’t really speak on why I did it but a few drinks and a lack of judgment is all I’ve really got.”

Ginnivan said he did not think of the consequences at the time of the incident but had also been left surprised that it was filmed given the location.

“When I walked into the bathroom I didn’t think someone would be videoing me,” he said.

“It’s obviously a private place. I know I can imagine anyone else being videoed in a bathroom (would) feel pretty uncomfortable.”

One of Collingwood’s brightest young stars, Ginnivan played 23 games last year during his second season at the club after being backed in by first-year coach Craig McRae.

“He’s put so much trust in me in the last year,” Ginnivan said of his coach.

“He’s always had my back in the media, anywhere. 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 we’re going to hopefully move past it.”

When asked how he would handle any backlash on his return to the field, Ginnivan was up-beat.

“It wouldn’t be the first time someone has said something bad to me, so it’ll fuel my fire and hopefully I just continue to get better out on the field,” he told Seven News.

“One incident off the field hopefully doesn’t change what I am like on the field. I am going to be confident and get under the people’s skin like I always do.”

Jack Ginnivan takes part in Friday’s intraclub match at Olympic Park Oval. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The AFL said Ginnivan would be required to undertake further education above the current mandated training on illicit substances and its effects.

This is not the first time Ginnivan has faced criticism for his off-field behaviour.

He and fellow player Isaac Quaynor were forced to apologise in June 2022, after they took part in a viral TikTok trend and filmed themselves rating imaginary women out of 10.

The trend, dubbed the “rating game”, involved users re-rating someone’s appearance based on hypothetical traits.

Ginnivan was also a lightning rod for on-field controversy in June last year when the flashy star was accused of attempting to attract free kicks.

Some fans thought that he was exaggerating high contact but fellow players including teammate Mason Cox said not enough was being done to protect players and that Ginnivan was being targeted unfairly.

The then-teenager also divided opinion over this extroverted playing style including wild goal celebrations.

Ginnivan’s apology comes as fellow Pies bad boy Jordan De Goey returned to full training for the club after undergoing shoulder surgery last month.

De Goey endured a controversial 2022 when news of a Bali nightclub bender halted contract talks with the club.

His Bali drama led to a suspended club fine of $25,000 and an apology after he was filmed partying with Instagram model Remy Jackson.

The scandal comes less than a year after another popular youngster, Bulldog’s Bailey Smith, apologised after footage emerged of him appearing to sniff an unknown white powder.

The footage of Bailey was filmed after his team’s 2021 Grand Final loss but did not emerge until June last year.

Originally published as Jack Ginnivan admits to illicit substances use, found guilty of conduct unbecoming by AFL