The AFL has issued Geelong a $140,000 sanction for its concussion waiver involving defender Jake Kolodjashnij.
The Cats and Kolodjashnij signed an agreement in February 2024 after the concussion panel warned he was at high risk of future head trauma.
The deal struck Kolodjashnij liable for any future trauma and therefore unable take legal action against the club.
An independent investigation, led by James Peters KC, deemed Geelong in breach of not disclosing the agreement with the AFL Players’ Association.
The AFL Commission reviewed the findings and imposed Geelong a $100,000 fine, with a previously suspended $40,000 relating to a lodgement breach also being activated.
The sum will be paid into the AFL and AFLPA Players’ Injury and Support Fund.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the AFL said the review found “Geelong did not intend to conceal the existence of the agreement or deceive the AFL or AFLPA”.
The review also deemed Steve Hocking’s declaration that Kolodjashnij was not coerced into signing the document to be true.
The AFL said its commission chair Craig Drummond – who was Geelong president at the time – “was not involved in the commission’s consideration of the matter”.
Drummond released a statement on Thursday afternoon, apologising for not lodging the deal with the correct parties and committing to a “better process” with future concussion cases.
“The health and wellbeing of Jake Kolodjashnij was always at the heart of decisions made concerning his playing career by the Geelong Football Club and the board I led as president,” Drummond said.
“That has now been acknowledged by the independent legal review of this matter. Jake’s private medical information was released without his consent, and he has very much been in my thoughts.
“The independent review has confirmed that following an inconclusive outcome from the AFL Concussion Panel, the club was faced with a difficult decision in circumstances where a player was not medically retired, and very much wanted to play on.
“The review found that there was a careful and detailed process involving consultation with many parties over several months, including the AFL, to ensure the risks to both Jake and the club were fully understood by all.
“It also confirmed that there was no intention to conceal the agreement from the AFL. I acknowledge and accept the review findings that the document should have been lodged by the club with the AFL, for which as president at the time I apologise.
“As the chair of the AFL, I am committed to a better process to support our clubs, players, and officials as we respond to the complex challenges of head trauma and concussion in our game.”
Paul Bassat initially spoke on behalf of the commission, reminding clubs to comply with the processes in place to protect players.
“The review found Geelong breached AFL rules by entering into an unauthorised variation to a player’s contract and failing to lodge that document with the AFL and AFLPA,” Bassat said.
“The health and safety of our players is our highest priority and the commission is satisfied it was central to the decisions made by the Geelong Football Club.
“While the review found no intention to conceal the document or deceive the AFL or AFLPA, the commission determined the rules were breached and that a significant sanction was warranted.
“The commission has imposed a $100,000 sanction and has additionally activated a previously suspended $40,000 sanction relating to a player contracting matter.
“All clubs are expected to comply with the rules and processes designed to protect players and the integrity of the game.
“It is clear this incident goes beyond the breach of lodgement rules and has raised broader issues to do with informed consent in playing contact sport and the paramount responsibilities for players’ health and safety.
“Working with the AFLPA, medical experts, and other stakeholders, the AFL will have more to say on these significant policy matters.”
Jake Kolodjashnij has not played for Geelong at any level since the waiver was made public.
Originally published as Geelong hit with $140k fine over Jake Kolodjashnij concussion breach