MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Craig McRae, Senior Coach of the Magpies speaks with Jack Ginnivan of the Magpies during the 2022 AFL Round 07 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Gold Coast Suns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 01, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Collingwood football boss Graham Wright has stated Jack Ginnivan's illicit drug use is an "isolated incident" for the club as further details of the matter emerge.
Both Collingwood and the AFL confirmed on Saturday night that Ginnivan had been found guilty of conduct unbecoming, with the 20-year-old banned for the opening two rounds of the AFL season.
Speaking to media on Sunday, Wright confirmed that the club had begun working with the AFL days prior to the news reaching the public, with Ginnnivan fronting coach Craig McRae and the Magpies' leadership group as the AFL's Integrity Unit investigated footage of Ginnivan that was brought to the club's attention.
"We spoke to Jack Thursday night into Friday, obviously dealing with a lot of people at the club," Wright said.
"Jack fronted the leadership group, myself and Craig McRae on Friday afternoon and owned his behaviour.
"Dealing with the AFL from an integrity perspective, so they've been heavily involved.
"Overall we've felt like we covered everything, but (it's) disappointing to be in this situation."
On top of Ginnivan's two-match suspension, the small forward won't be available for selection for either of Collingwood's pre-season matches or in the VFL before his return for Round 3 of the AFL home and away season.
Ginnivan has also been hit with a suspended $5,000 fine, but will miss out on match payments due to the suspension.
Ginnivan, who featured in Collingwood's intraclub match on Friday where he suffered a leg injury, wanted to feature in the session despite the ongoing investigation.
"He wanted to play," Wright revealed.
"It was probably going to be the last time he plays for a little while, he's got six weeks now where footy is taken away from him.
"He'll train hard once (he returns), he's got a nasty gash on his knee at the moment... hopefully hit the ground running in Round 3."
The footage of Ginnivan was relayed from the media to Collingwood after it was forwarded from the original source, with the young Magpie captured with an illicit substance at the Torquay Hotel in January.
Wright was unable to confirm reports the substance in question was ketamine, but did confirm that other Collingwood players were present when Ginnivan attended the hotel but were not involved.
"He was with some other players but they weren't involved," Wright said.
"He was with somebody else in the cubicle. He's admitted to that.
"Our other players weren't involved."
While lauding the AFL's drug policy program, Wright also confirmed the two-week suspension was handed down by the club in consultation with the AFL.
Wright denied the club has an illicit drug problem, labelling Ginnivan's actions as an "isolated incident".
"Absolutely we feel like we are (in a good place)," Wright said.
"I think this is an isolated incident and that's the way we're treating it.
"..It's not a pattern of behaviour at all for him or anyone else at the club."
Ginnnivan's suspension will see him ruled out for matches against Geelong and Port Adelaide to begin the 2023 season, likely returning in Round 3 against Richmond at the MCG.