Geelong Fined $140,000 over Secret Concussion Waiver with Jake Kolodjashnij

The AFL has fined Geelong $140,000 after the club failed to lodge a secret "voluntary assumption of risk" document with premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij, which required him to take legal responsibility for future brain trauma.

The AFL has fined Geelong $140,000 for its handling of a secret concussion waiver with premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij. The penalty includes a $100,000 sanction plus a $40,000 suspended fine from a previous breach. The review, conducted by independent King's Counsel James Peters, found Geelong breached AFL rules by entering an unauthorised variation to Kolodjashnij's contract and failing to lodge it with the AFL and AFLPA.

"While the review found no intention to conceal the document or deceive the AFL or AFLPA, the Commission determined the rules were breached and that a significant sanction was warranted," said AFL Commissioner Paul Bassat.

The controversy erupted in August when details emerged of the agreement, which required Kolodjashnij to take legal responsibility for future brain trauma. The defender signed the "voluntary assumption of risk" in 2024 after the AFL's independent concussion panel returned an "amber" reading clearing him to play but not giving him a full green light.

"The health and safety of our players is our highest priority and the Commission is satisfied it was central to the decisions made by the Geelong Football Club," Bassat said.

AFL chairman Craig Drummond, who was Geelong president when the agreement was signed, recused himself from the review. The investigation found Kolodjashnij was not coerced into signing and that the failure to lodge the document was an oversight. The fine will be paid into the AFL and AFLPA Players' Injury and Support Fund. The AFL has committed to strengthening its concussion framework and introducing contact training limits for both men's and women's competitions. Kolodjashnij, who has not played since the story broke, returned to training this week, although it remains unclear if he has been cleared to play.

"It is clear this incident goes beyond the breach of lodgement rules, and has raised broader issues to do with informed consent in playing contact sport," Bassat said.

Here is the question this case raises. An AFL club drafted a "voluntary assumption of risk" for a player recovering from multiple concussions, outside the standard playing contract and without AFL or AFLPA oversight. When the system meant to protect athletes fails, and a player's health and legal rights are placed in a grey area, who bears the ultimate responsibility  the club, the league, or the player themselves?

FAQ:

Q: What was Geelong's concussion waiver with Jake Kolodjashnij?
A: Geelong signed a "voluntary assumption of risk" document with Kolodjashnij in 2024, which required the premiership defender to take legal responsibility for any future brain trauma.

Q: Why did the AFL fine Geelong over the concussion waiver?
A: The AFL fined Geelong because the club failed to lodge the document with the league and the AFLPA, breaching AFL rules.

Q: How much did the AFL fine Geelong?
A: Geelong was fined a total of $140,000, comprising a $100,000 sanction plus an additional $40,000 from a previously suspended fine.

Q: Was Jake Kolodjashnij coerced into signing the waiver?
A: No. The independent review found Kolodjashnij was not coerced into signing the letter.

Q: Has Kolodjashnij played since the waiver details became public?
A: Kolodjashnij has not played since the story broke but returned to training this week ahead of the finals.

Q: What is the AFL doing in response to the Geelong concussion case?
A: The AFL has committed to strengthening its concussion framework and is in the final stages of introducing contact training limits for both the men's and women's competitions.