Collingwood coach Craig McRae has confirmed that Jack Ginnivan will return through the VFL.
Ginnivan missed both practice games and the opening two rounds of the AFL season after being suspended for illicit drug use over the off-season.
While the 20-year-old was a first-choice player in 2022 as the Magpies shot up the ladder, kicking 40 goals from 23 games, Ginnivan will be made to work his way back into the senior team after the Magpies have started the 2023 season 2-0.
McRae says Ginnivan will need to play above the level when the VFL Magpies face Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium on Saturday night to be considered a chance for a recall.
“He’ll play VFL,” McRae told reporters.
“They play Saturday night, he’ll get a chance to get some game time and make himself available.
“We’ve got a five- or six-day break after that heading up to Brisbane. We’ll assess that (his availability) post-game.
“He’s done everything he can do in terms of what he can control,
“He’s trained really well for a couple of weeks, he trained really well again today, he looks ready to play.
“He’s got to go out and perform at a different level, we ask all of our VFL players to play above the level.
“It’s no different for Jack, I look forward to hearing how he goes.”
Looking ahead to the senior side’s blockbuster clash against Richmond at the MCG on Friday night, McRae says forward Brody Mihocek is no certain starter as he recovers from a finger injury.
After being subbed off in Round 2 due to a dislocated finger, McRae says Mihocek is struggling to recover in time as he also required stitches as the injury split some skin.
“It’s a watch this space,” McRae said.
“We were hoping he’d be a little bit more advanced than he is at the moment.
“He’ll have to improve a little bit to be available.
“There’s a little bit of splitting of the skin there and there was stitches required for that.
“Again, we’re going to have to wait and see, he’s not ruled out, but he’s going to have to improve a little bit in the next 48 hours.”
If Mihocek does end up missing, McRae says forward Ash Johnson is certainly in the frame as a replacement after he kicked four goals and took 10 marks in the Round 1 VFL thrashing of Coburg.
“Ash has been in good form the last couple of weeks,” McRae said.
“He’s another that’s really playing above the level at VFL.
“His name will be mentioned, for sure.”
The bounce for Friday’s clash between Collingwood and Richmond at the MCG is set for 7:50pm.