Jack Ginnivan drugs saga: Collingwood star complains about being filmed with illicit substance

Kieran Francis

Jack Ginnivan drugs saga: Collingwood star complains about being filmed with illicit substance image

Suspended AFL star Jack Ginnivan has complained about being filmed in the bathroom after the Collingwood forward was in a video involving illicit drugs.

Vision emerged of the 20-year-old inhaling a white substance with another person in a toilet cubicle at the Torquay Hotel in January.

It is understood Ginnivan was filmed over the toilet door by a member of the public, with the footage eventually being leaked publicly.

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Despite vowing to 'take ownership' of his actions in a previous statement via Collingwood, Ginnivan was livid about being filmed in the bathroom.

"When I walked into that bathroom I didn’t think someone would be videoing me. It’s obviously a private place ... I know that," Ginnivan told Seven News.

"I can imagine anyone else getting videoed in a bathroom would feel pretty uncomfortable."

Ginnivan has been banned for the first two rounds of the season by Collingwood and the AFL for the incident.

Jack Ginnivan and Collingwood's joint statement

Jack Ginnivan: "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.

"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."

Collingwood general manager of football Graham Wright: "As a club, we are incredibly disappointed to have observed vision showing Jack Ginnivan with an illicit substance.

"The vision was captured by a member of the public following the club’s pre-season camp in January and was distributed to media in recent days.

"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.

"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."

Jack Ginnivan - Collingwood
GettyImages

Jack Ginnivan's exclusive interview with Seven News

Ginnivan denied having a drug problem and when asked by Seven News if had taken drugs before, he said he just wanted to 'reflect on the now'.

In the rest of the interview, Ginnivan said: "Yeah just utterly disappointed in myself... feel like I’ve let 44 of my best mates down.. the club.. hundreds of thousands of people.

"I’m so remorseful. I’m so sorry for that.

"And yeah went into a cubicle and obviously taken an illicit substance.

"Obviously a few drinks... a lack of judgement at the time. I can’t really speak on why I did it, but like I said, a few drinks and a lack of judgement is all I’ve got.

"When I walked into that bathroom I didn’t think someone would be videoing me. It’s obviously a private place ... I know that.

"I can imagine anyone else getting videoed in a bathroom would feel pretty uncomfortable."

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.