He was recruited from the Claremont Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) with the seventh pick in the 2008 Pre-Season draft, and made his debut for the club in round 15 of the 2009 AFL season.
[1] His father played 59 games for the East Perth Football Club, and his maternal grandfather, Alvin Whittle, played 108 games for the West Perth Football Club.
In round one of the 2010 season, he was one of the Eagles' best, winning 24 disposals and kicking a goal.
In August 2011, McGinnity was fined A$2500 and suspended by the West Coast Eagles for one match after allegations that he had threatened to "rape" Ricky Petterd's mother during the Eagles' round 21 match against Melbourne.
[6] McGinnity is most remembered as the player Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell controversially took out of the game through a seemingly illegal shepherd during a NAB Cup match in early 2009.