Collingwood youngster Jack Kinnywan has been suspended by the AFL after admitting to using illegal drugs. The 20-year-old will miss the first two rounds of the upcoming 2023 season after being found guilty of disorderly conduct in January for using an illegal drug. Kiniwan said he was “deeply disappointed in himself” and admitted using the unspecified drug in a bathroom cubicle in a Torquay hotel.
The incident happened after Collingwood’s pre-season training camp in Lorne, Victoria. “I feel like I let down 44 of my best friends, the club, 100,000 people. I’m very remorseful and sorry,” Kimiwan told 7News. Kiniwan blamed the decision on “a few drinks and a lack of judgment at the time”, but denied that mental health issues played a role.
He denied he had a problem, saying it was rare. He did not disclose whether he had previously used illicit drugs. This bombshell revelation comes after a vision of Ginnivan in the bathroom.
“When I go to the bathroom, I don’t think anyone is going to pat me,” he said.
“This is clearly a private venue and I can imagine it would be embarrassing if someone was caught in the bathroom.” The AFL announced Ginnivan’s sentence in a statement today, banning him for two games and one and fined him $5,000. He will also be unavailable for the Pies’ upcoming practice sessions and will not be available for VFL tryouts during the suspension.
In a statement from the club, Collingwood said they were “very disappointed” but would continue to support Kinnywan.
“As a club we are deeply disappointed to have witnessed Jack Kiniwan’s hallucinations of illicit substance use,” it said. “The vision was captured by a member of the public following the club’s pre-season training camp in January and distributed to the media in recent days.
“All players and staff are continually educated on appropriate behaviour, and we expect everyone at our club to uphold the highest standards as a representative of the wider Collingwood community, our members, supporters and corporate partners.” We will continue to work closely with Jack, who accepts his behavior, to provide him with the support and continuing education he needs to continue his journey in Collingwood. “Kimniwan played 28 games in his first two seasons, 23 of them in the past year – including three finals at Collingwood.
