Collingwood GM of football Graham Wright says the Magpies don’t have a drug or culture problem in the wake of Jack Ginnivan’s two-game ban.
Ginnivan has been sanctioned by his club and the AFL after 7 News obtained vision of the 20-year-old with an illicit substance in a toilet cubicle of the Torquay Hotel.
He’s also unavailable for Collingwood’s practice games, received a strike under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy, and is sweating on a $5000 suspended fine.
Wright fronted the media on Sunday after news emerged of Ginnivan’s behaviour late on Saturday and said the incident was of an isolated nature.
“We continually educate our players all the time and our staff around the correct behaviours and around illicit drugs. They receive education from us, through the AFLPA – there’s no shortage of education for players,” he said.
“I think this is an isolated incident and that’s the way they’re treating it.
“It’s not a pattern of behaviour at all for him or anyone else at the club.”
He added: “We certainly hope our players don’t partake in illicit drugs, but I don’t think it’s a big issue in the competition and we certainly don’t think it is here.
“I think everyone in the general public should have their privacy protected. But as I said in this case, we’ve got an extra responsibility where these guys are AFL players, they are professional athletes and they understand their responsibility when they’re out that they’re filmed – hopefully not in a private situation – but we understand that’s part of it.”
Ginnivan, speaking to 7 News, said his teammates were not involved but refused to answer whether it was his first time taking an illicit substance.
“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.
Wright also stated that while there were other Collingwood players at the pub on the night in January, the club did not believe any of them were involved in drug use.
“I don't think we are ever happy to be in this situation but Jack owned it. I questioned him about his behaviour and what had transpired and he owned it straight away,” he explained.
“Absolutely he is incredibly remorseful about being in this situation and overall we are hoping he learns from it. We don’t want to be here again.”
It’s understood a patron at the hotel filmed Ginnivan and the young Collingwood forward didn’t know the footage existed until earlier this week.
He'll miss games against Geelong and Port Adelaide to start the season and will also be unavailable for VFL selection in that time.