The AFL has asked Geelong to explain why it didn’t notify the league of a variation to a player’s contract that would absolve the club of any liability against any future concussion claims.
Fronting the media for the first time since it became public that the player with a history of concussion had signed a letter acknowledging the arrangement outside his standard playing contract, Cats CEO Steve Hocking, who signed off on the waiver, labelled the decision not to inform the AFL or the AFL Players’ Association a “misstep”.
“I take responsibility for the fact that we didn’t lodge it with the AFL and the PA,” Hocking said.
“There’s no reason. It was just a misstep in the process.”
Hocking said the process with the player, whose identity has now been confirmed as premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij, took around two months to complete.
It followed the player meeting with the AFL’s concussion panel, where “there was no either-way decision given” on his future, and it was put in the hands of Geelong.
“It was an extensive process,” Hocking said. “The player’s representatives were involved, including family and legal representation as well, and that letter spelt out all of that – the entire process.
“And it took time; it wasn’t rushed as much as some people believe that he may have been coerced into it. That is not the case. It was a thorough process.
“The care of the player and getting the player back to play was really important for the football club and for the player and his family.
Hocking confirmed the club’s chief medical officer at the time and the board, led by now AFL Commission chair Craig Drumm,ond were also involved in the process.
“…it was really important to make sure the player was stepped through his rights and the options that were on the table for him,” he said
“It was about achieving informed consent as far as the player and his family go.
“The player was keen to continue to play. I think it’s really important to know that.”
Hocking wouldn’t be drawn on what impact this situation will have on Drummond’s role.
“That’s not for me to comment on,” he said. “I’m here representing the Geelong Football Club, not the AFL, and I think it’s really important that’s reinforced.
“We’re here to accept our responsibility in it, and as far as your question goes, I respect it, but I’m not going to be commenting on that.
Hocking’s also unsure about what the repercussions will be for the club.
“I’m not great at rolling forward that far,” he said. “That will be solely with the AFL.
“We’ve got a ‘please explain letter, and at the appropriate time we’ll work through that with the AFL.
“We’ll have to respond to that, and then it’ll be up to the AFL, and whatever that is, we’ll accept.”
Just over an hour following the conclusion of Hocking’s media conference, Geelong released a statement on behalf of Kolodjashnij.
“While I appreciate the efforts made not to identify me, the speculation has left me feeling I needed to address this personally,” he said.
“I participated fully in the AFL’s independent concussion panel process, respected its independence, and was comfortable with the outcome. I have continued playing AFL football since.
“What disappoints me most is that my private medical information has been made public. Everyone deserves the right to keep their confidential medical information private.
“I want to thank my family, the AFLPA, my manager, my teammates and the football club for their support over the past 24 hours.
“I am healthy, feeling good, and focused on playing my role for the team for the remainder of the season.”
X: @krockfootball
