Geelong has copped a $140,000 fine from the AFL after failing to formally submit Jake Kolodjashnij's concussion agreement to the league and players' association in 2024.
Last month, the Cats were revealed to have attempted to waive Kolodjashnij's rights and any legal risks for the club in the case of future brain injury. He has a history of concussion, and would take all legal responsibility going into the future - effectively protecting Geelong from litigation.
The AFL commission gathered last night, led by James Peters KC, to determine the acceptable sanction. It's understood Geelong had a representative in the meeting.
The review found the letter constituted a variation to Kolodjashnij's standard playing contract and should have been lodged with the AFL and AFLPA.
Of the $140,000 fine, $40,000 - which was suspended from a series of late disclosures and non-disclosures regarding arrangements with club associates and third-party payments - is included in the waiver penalty.
The amount will be paid into the AFL and AFLPA Players' Injury and Support Fund in addition to the AFL's existing commitment to that fund.
The review found Geelong did not intend to conceal the existence of the agreement or deceive the AFL or AFLPA.
It further found there was no inappropriate or improper conduct warranting additional action under AFL Rules by either Geelong or AFL representatives, including Cats chief executive Steve Hocking and former Geelong president and current AFL commissioner Craig Drummond and made no adverse findings in relation to the club's decision to agree with the player to mitigate its legal exposure.
It also found Kolodjashnij was not coerced into signing the letter.
The AFL and AFLPA are open to making wholesale changes to concussion, hoping to strengthen the framework through a review of the safety nets in place for players, clubs, and the broader industry to manage risk.
In consultation with players, clubs, and club medical staff, the AFL and AFLPA will consider:
- The challenges of commercial insurance protections for players and officials
- Increasing the scope of the Injury & Support Fund in providing a safety net for current and past players
- Clearer protocols for AFL Concussion Panel outcomes
- The risks and responsibilities of players, clubs, medical staff and other officials, including how those risks can be acknowledged
- Increasing industry education on concussion and head trauma research, trends, and risks
- Reviewing data collection practices related to concussion
