Craig Drummond, the AFL Commission chair and former president of Geelong, has expressed regret for “the mistakes made in this very complex situation” regarding a confidential concussion agreement between the Cats and player Jake Kolodjashnij.
Drummond also stated that he will recuse himself from any AFL evaluation of the case, which came to light on Thursday.
In 2024, Geelong entered into an arrangement with Kolodjashnij, making him responsible for any potential future head injuries.
At the time of the agreement, Drummond served as president of Geelong and was part of the club’s board.
“I was president of the Geelong football club in 2024,” said the AFL chairman.
“This was an extremely complex and sensitive matter, and obligations to both the player and the club were very carefully considered by the Geelong board.
“Jake’s welfare was central to all discussions and I have been thinking of him particularly over the past few days.
“While the player was medically cleared to play, the club engaged in lengthy discussions including with him, his family, doctors and insurers about his future and the potential risks of returning to play.
“This was an extremely complex and sensitive matter, and obligations to both the player and the club were very carefully considered by the Geelong board. “Jake’s welfare was central to all discussions and I have been thinking of him particularly over the past few days. “While the player was medically cleared to play, the club engaged in lengthy discussions including with him, his family, doctors and insurers about his future and the potential risks of returning to play. “Regardless of the player’s agreement, the club went too far in adding a waiver into an informed consent document and it will be removed.”
On Thursday, the club eliminated the waiver, coinciding with a statement from the AFL indicating that it had not sanctioned the agreement.
While no penalties were imposed on Geelong, the club’s chief executive, Steve Hocking, mentioned that sanctions could still be considered while taking responsibility for Kolodjashnij’s waiver on Friday.
Kolodjashnij publicly defended the club on Friday evening, emphasizing his gratitude for the process that allowed him to continue his career, having now played 200 AFL matches.
Drummond stated that the waiver did not strip Kolodjashnij of his protections as a player under health and safety laws.
“As the club has also acknowledged, there was also a process failure in relation to lodgement of the agreement with the AFL and the AFLPA [AFL Players’ Association],” Drummond explained.
“I have not and will not be involved in any deliberation in relation to this matter and its assessment under the AFL rules and regulations. “I apologise for the mistakes made in this very complex situation.”
