Collingwood younger gun Jack Ginnivan has apologised for his “poor decision-making” after being suspended for the opening two rounds of the AFL season for utilizing illicit medication.
The 20-year-old confessed to drug use after a video – taken by a member of the general public – emerged of him with a bootleg substance within the Torquay Hotel bathrooms.
The incident occurred on a gamers’ time without work in January after the Magpies’ pre-season coaching camp on Victoria’s Surf Coast.
The AFL integrity unit interviewed Ginnivan as a part of its investigation, which discovered the participant responsible of conduct unbecoming.
“I want to take ownership of my actions in the vision which shows me with an illicit substance,” Ginnivan stated in a Collingwood assertion 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 objectives in a breakout second season in 2022, enjoying a key position within the Magpies’ beautiful rise to a preliminary closing in coach Craig McRae’s first marketing campaign on the helm.
The livewire ahead is banned from enjoying towards Geelong and Port Adelaide in rounds one and two, and won’t be eligible to play in any of Collingwood’s scheduled apply matches.
Ginnivan stated he’s “truly sorry” for his behaviour, which he informed the Seven Network he had put right down to “a few drinks and a lack of judgement”.
“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 stated within the assertion.
Ginnivan has usually discovered himself within the highlight since his debut in 2021 and received the Anzac Day Medal for a shocking five-goal efficiency towards Essendon final 12 months.
But he has additionally come below hearth for ducking his head to attract free kicks and admitted final 12 months the fierce scrutiny on his method to the sport had taken a toll on his psychological well being.
Collingwood soccer boss Graham Wright stated the membership 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 stated within the membership assertion.
“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 high of his enjoying ban, Ginnivan has additionally been hit with a $5000 suspended superb.
He won’t be eligible for VFL choice in the course of the suspension.
The AFL stated Ginnivan will likely be required to undertake additional schooling above the present league-mandated coaching on illicit substances and their results.
“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 govt member Andrew Dillon stated in a league assertion.
“(They) have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their professional careers to uphold community expectations.”
Ginnivan suffered a minor knee damage at coaching this week however that setback was not anticipated to interrupt his pre-season.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
