AFL star wants to 'earn the trust back' at his club after being banned for illicit drug use

Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan has faced criticism in the wake of being banned for taking an unspecified illicit drug.

The young player is set to be banned for four matches after he confessed to taking an illicit drug in a bathroom at the Torquay Hotel.

The incident occurred during a day off for the player after the Pies held a pre-season training camp on the Surf Coast.

The news made headlines across the AFL world on the weekend.

Media gathered around the Magpie’s training base on Monday (February 20) morning.

In a short statement, Ginnivan said: “Everyone knows that I am pretty sorry and remorseful for the actions that I did.

“I am ready to get back to work today and earn back the trust of the group.”

Ginnivan maintains his Collingwood teammates had no idea that he had taken the substance.

He was filmed by a member of the public in the cubicle and was unaware of the video until it found its way to the club.

Magpies captain Darcy Moore also fronted the media where he admitted the club were disappointed in their teammate.

However, he maintained that the there was not a wider drug problem at the AFL side.

He said: “Jack has made an error of judgment. We get a lot of education. I think the community knows that and that is a source of disappointment for us.

“In this case, it is a 21-year-old man who has made an error of judgment at a venue.

“He has owned that, we have owned that, and the sanction has been dealt with appropriately.

“We have over 90 male and female athletes at this club, the large majority of whom take their job really seriously and make great decisions.

“But having said that, we don’t operate in a vacuum, we are human beings, people make errors of judgment, and it’s something that Jack has done in this instance.”

Moore admitted that the ‘popular, bubbly teammate’ would take time to regain the trust of the rest of his teammates.

Moore added: “It’s not easy, but I am sure he will use this time to put his best foot forward and earn a bit of trust from the team.”

Ginnivan will also receive a suspended $5,000 fine, counselling and will be target-tested.