Jake Kolodjashnij confirms he was the Geelong player who signed AFL concussion waiver

Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij on Friday evening confirmed he was the player who signed an AFL concussion waiver, ending two days of public speculation when he issued a statement through the Cats.

In his statement Kolodjashnij said: “While I appreciate the efforts made not to identify me, the speculation has left me feeling I needed to address this personally.” He added: “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.” The 30-year-old, who missed the entire 2025 campaign with hip and groin injuries, celebrated his 200th game earlier this season.

Kolodjashnij criticised media reporting of his medical details, saying: “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.” He thanked his family, manager and teammates, the AFL Players Association and Geelong for their support and said: “I am healthy, feeling good, and focused on playing my role for the team for the remainder of the season.”

Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking held an afternoon press conference in which he said the club accepted responsibility for the waiver and acknowledged a failure to notify head office, calling that a “misstep”. He confirmed league officials had formally asked the club to explain the matter and said: “Whatever the AFL decide to do from here is up to them. I have received a letter, a please explain, from the AFL in relation to this matter, so we’ll deal with that over the coming days.”

Hocking outlined the club’s account of how the waiver was prepared, saying: “The player was keen to continue to play. I think it’s really important to know that.” He added: “The players’ representatives were involved, including family, and legal representation as well, and that letter [the waiver] spelt out all of that, the entire process, and it took time.” Hocking rejected suggestions the player had been pressured, saying: “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.”

Kolodjashnij has played 11 matches this season, most recently in Geelong’s round 18 loss to GWS, and is identified in club communications as a member of the 2022 premiership team.

He is named as an emergency for Geelong’s game on Saturday against Essendon.