The AFL has handed Geelong a significant financial sanction for its heavily-scrutinised concussion clause in premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij’s contract.
The Cats have been fined $140,000 after an independent investigation, led by James Peters KC, deemed Geelong in breach of not disclosing the agreement with the AFL Players’ Association.
Watch every match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
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”.
Geelong accepted the outcome, saying: “The Geelong Football Club acknowledges the interest this matter has generated and has great respect for the way Jake has conducted himself throughout this period, including in circumstances where his private medical information has been released without his consent.
“We have welcomed the opportunity to participate in the independent review process led by James Peters AM KC and cooperated fully at every stage. The independent review has been conducted respectfully, thoroughly and transparently.
“The club accepts the findings of the independent review and acknowledges the sanction handed down by the AFL Commission for a breach of AFL Rule 4.3(a) and Rule 28.3(c).
“The club acknowledges it should have lodged the letter with the AFL and AFLPA and has taken accountability for the error publicly and throughout the independent review process.”
The AFL Players’ Association CEO James Gallagher issued a statement on the matter, saying: “The AFLPA acknowledges the findings from the AFL’s investigation that Geelong was in breach of AFL Rules by failing to lodge a letter signed by player Jake Kolodjashnij in February 2024.
“Jake’s wellbeing remains a priority for the AFLPA, and we continue to fully support him. Jake should never have been put in this position.
“Head trauma is the biggest issue facing the game and the health and safety of our members must be the priority at all times.
“The Collective Bargaining Agreement and Standard Playing Contract are critical documents that provide certainty and clarity to the industry about their responsibilities and protections.
“We believed the letter was inconsistent with those documents and was therefore in breach of AFL Rules, which the AFLPA communicated to the AFL and Geelong.
“In recent weeks, the AFL and AFLPA reinforced that any variations to those agreements must be agreed by all parties and the AFLPA or they will be treated as ineffective and unenforceable.
“Equally, any arrangement that may affect protections connected to a player’s health or safety in a way which is inconsistent with the relevant terms of the CBA will not be approved by the AFLPA and the AFL.”
The review 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”.
Herald Sun chief football writer Jay Clark earlier this month broke the story that Geelong had failed to lodge a clause with the AFL and AFL Players’ Association in the contract of an unnamed player, who had suffered multiple concussions.
Kolodjashnij then publicly identified himself as the player involved, revealing the personal toll the situation had taken on him and his family.
The AFL, subsequently, issued Geelong with a ‘please explain’ over the inclusion of the waiver in Kolodjashnij’s 2024 contract following several concussions.
Peters was asked to examine the Cats’ reasonings and determine whether Geelong had breached any league rules.
Cats chief executive Steve Hocking defended the club’s handling of the situation, telling Geelong radio station K-Rock there was “not a lot” the club would’ve done differently if it had its time over. Hocking said the Cats felt the waiver was the only way Kolodjashnij could be allowed to sign a new contract at the end of 2024.
Kolodjashnij stayed away from Geelong training and ruled out of AFL and VFL selection during the height of the concussion saga, but returned to training on Tuesday this week as the Cats’ AFL and VFL teams both prepare for finals.
Originally published as Geelong hit with $140,000 fine by the AFL over Jake Kolodjashnij concussion scandal