AFL player Jack Ginnivan doesn’t have a problem with drugs – he loves them. He loves them so much he got caught taking an illicit substance and earned his second nomination for The Frownlow Medal.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while NRL star Manase Fainu is the most recent recipient.
Ginnivan recently apologised, for the second time in his short career, after he was caught taking an illicit substance in a hotel bathroom. He was given a two-game ban after admitting to taking the drugs, alongside another man. There is no truth to the rumour that the other man was Captain Cubicle- aka, Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga.
Ginnivan will also not be eligible for VFL selection at any time during his suspension and has been hit with a $5000 (suspended) fine and one strike on the AFL’s drugs policy.
Ginnivan admitted using the drugs on a day off from a Collingwood training camp while out with friends and Magpie teammates, and said:
“When I walked into the bathroom I didn’t think someone would be videoing me.
His first Frownlow nomination was also the result of a viral video, but one he made himself. He and teammate Isaac Quaynor released a video on social media rating women and were widely condemned.
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 