Former Geelong president Craig Drummond has released a statement following the announcement from the league that the Cats would receive a $140,000 fine for the concussion waiver saga.
The AFL handed Geelong the hefty fine on Thursday after the story broke in early August that the club had signed a secret contract waiver with defender Jake Kolodjashnij which would protect the club from litigation in case of further head knocks.
Kolodjashnij has a history with concussion.
Drummond, who was president of Geelong at the time, is now chairman of the AFL Commission and was swept up in the media storm when questions were raised over whether the Cats had done anything under handed.
Following the announcement from the AFL that Geelong would receive the six figure fine, Drummond released a statement.
"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's statement read.
"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."
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon was asked whether the Cats had gotten off lightly with the fine, given they have a recent history of indiscretions.
Dillon was firm in his response.
Drummond is set to speak at a press conference at 4pm on Thursday regarding the fine.
More to come...
