Cats hit with monster fine for concussion waiver clause
Updated . First published at
Geelong has been handed a monster $140,000 fine by the AFL for its failure to officially lodge the concussion waiver clause in defender Jake Kolodjashnij’s contract in 2024.
And the AFL has “committed to strengthening the game’s concussion framework” in the wake of the scandal that broke earlier this month.
Geelong’s Jake Kolodjashnij. Getty
Of the punishment figure, $40,000 is a carry-over from a previous suspended sanction. The club was fined $77,500 in 2025 for a breach of third-party player payments, but $40,000 was initially suspended.
The $140,000 will be paid into the AFL and AFL Players Association’s players’ injury and support fund.
“The health and welfare of our players is the highest priority for the AFL Commission, it is the highest priority for the AFL, and it is the highest priority for every club,” AFL boss Andrew Dillon said in a statement.
“There is inherent risk for all contact sports globally and Australian football is no different, but we want our sport to be a leader in brain health and concussion and head trauma prevention and management.
“That’s why we have a comprehensive framework, based on world class medical advice, which has dramatically improved concussion and head trauma prevention, management, and education from the elite level to community football.
“We will now do more to strengthen safety nets in place for our players, our clubs, and our officials.”
The AFL is “in the final stages of discussions to introduce contact training limits” for both the men’s and women’s professional competitions next year.
Kolodjashnij has not played for Geelong at any level since the bombshell story broke and he reportedly remains unavailable for selection.
The Cats in 2024 had the defender sign a waiver as part of contract extensions making him personally responsible for any further concussion-related injuries.
The decision was mutually agreed between club and player after the 31-year-old received an ‘amber’ verdict from the AFL’s concussion panel, meaning he was cleared to play but not given the full green light.
Complications in investigating Geelong arose due to a conflict surrounding new AFL Chairman Craig Drummond, who was president of the Cats in 2024 when this occurred.
Jake Kolodjashnij agreed to the deal and has played three years since. Getty Images
The AFL hired independent King’s Counsel James Peters to lead the investigation and his determination was that AFL rules were breached given the Cats failed to lodge the concussion waiver with the league.
The AFL Players Association and Kolodjashnij’s manager were also reportedly kept in the dark.
The player has said he willingly signed the waiver and was comfortable with how it played out. He expressed disappointment with his medical information becoming public.
Kolodjashnij is out of contract at the end of the 2026 season.
Geelong coach Chris Scott previously refused to speculate on whether Kolodjashnij would play for the club again.
“The review found Geelong breached AFL Rules by entering into an unauthorised variation to a player’s contract and failing to lodge that document with the AFL and AFLPA,” said AFL commissioner Paul Bassat.
“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.
“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.
“... All clubs are expected to comply with the rules and processes designed to protect players and the integrity of the game.
“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 and the paramount responsibilities for players’ health and safety.
“Working with the AFLPA, medical experts, and other stakeholders, the AFL will have more to say on these significant policy matters.”
