AFL commission chairman Craig Drummond has released a statement after the investigation into Geelong’s handling of Jake Kolodjashnij’s contract clause was finalised.
The Cats copped a $140,000 for failing to officially notify the AFL about the concussion waiver in Kolodjashnij’s contract.
James Peters KC was brought in by the AFL to investigate Geelong, after the league had issued a “please explain” when the revelation about Kolodjashnij’s contract broke this month.
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Peters found the failure by Geelong to lodge the variation was an oversight, and that the club did not intend to conceal the existence of the agreement or deceive the AFL or the AFL Players Association.
The review found Geelong had given careful and detailed consideration to the risk of Kolodjashnij continuing to play, after an uncertain outcome from his assessment by the AFL concussion panel.
Drummond, who was president of Geelong at the time, and CEO Steve Hocking both escaped punishment with Peters’ review finding there was no “inappropriate or improper conduct warranting additional action” by Geelong or AFL representatives.
Speaking after the sanctions were handed down, Drummond maintained Kolodjashnij’s health and wellbeing were always the primary focus.
“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,” he said in a statement.
“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.”
Drummond also apologised for not lodging the document with 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,” he continued.
“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.”
Kolodjashnij, the 2022 Cats premiership defender who has not played since the story broke, returned to training this week ahead of the finals.
— with AAP
