‘It’s not 1980’: Scott quizzed on Geelong concussion controversy
Geelong coach Chris Scott has distanced himself from the club’s concussion waiver scandal, claiming he did not know about the secret agreement until the matter became public.
The Cats are in damage control after it was revealed on Thursday that a Geelong player had struck a deal with the club assuming all legal responsibility for any further head trauma he may suffer.
Chris Scott during Geelong’s clash with Essendon on Saturday night. James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
Defender Jake Kolodjashnij has since identified himself as that player.
Scott was quizzed on the controversy after his side’s 67-point win over Essendon on Saturday night.
“I am kept at arm’s length from these things. I don’t know enough to give an informed opinion on it,” Scott said in his post-match press conference.
“Even if I was prepared to say more, I just wouldn’t be able to give you anywhere near [as] clear a picture as the people that actually were involved in this stuff, or are involved in it.
“It’s not 1980 – the coach doesn’t run everything these days.”
Asked when he had learned of the matter, Scott said: “I can’t remember exactly, but I would imagine I heard about it when it was made public.
“But, again, even when I search my recollection of it, I can’t even remember the timing around it. That’s how far away I am from it.”
In a statement issued via the Cats on Friday, Kolodjashnij said it was disappointing private medical information had been made public.
“Everyone deserves the right to keep their confidential medical information private,” he said.
Scott was coy when asked how Kolodjashnij was faring.
“More and more I’m sort of coming to the conclusion that private conversations and relationships shouldn’t be aired publicly,” the Cats coach said.
“I know that there’s an interest in that, but it doesn’t mean I need to buy into it.”
Kolodjashnij was cleared as fit to play by an AFL concussion panel.
In a joint statement issued by the AFL and the AFL Players Association, the governing bodies said the waiver signed by Kolodjashnij was not lodged with or approved by the AFL or the AFLPA.
The Cats have removed the waiver.
