Cats confirm Kolodjashnij unavailable to play amid concussion waiver saga

Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij will not participate in VFL or AFL games this weekend as the club and player continue to address the concussion waiver controversy in his contract. The club had until the close of business on Tuesday to respond to the AFL's request for clarification on the secret waiver, which was disclosed last week but not officially submitted to the AFL or AFL Players' Association.

The Cats released a statement confirming that Kolodjashnij would not be selected for selection this weekend, emphasizing that his health and safety remain the top priority. The athlete at the heart of the concussion waiver disagreement, Geelong's Jake Kolodjashnij, will sit out this weekend while the club awaits the league's decision on potential sanctions.

It was revealed last Thursday that the Cats had made a confidential arrangement with a player, who had experienced previous concussions, though Kolodjashnij confirmed his involvement to the public. Following this, the waiver was removed from his contract. Geelong Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij will be ineligible for selection at AFL or VFL level this weekend, according to a statement released by the club on Tuesday.

The well-being of Kolodjashnij remains the primary concern for the club, which will continue to offer support to the player and his family during this challenging period. The Cats gathered for a crisis meeting on Monday to strategize their response to the league's "please explain" request regarding the concussion waiver Kolodjashnij had signed, despite it never being seen by the AFL or AFLPA.

Amid rumors surrounding Geelong's chief executive Steve Hocking and AFL chairman Craig Drummond, the club board convened on Monday to deliberate their reaction to the league's inquiry. Hocking served as the Cats' chief executive and Drummond held the position of club president when the secret agreement with Kolodjashnij was formed two years ago.

Media outlets reported on Tuesday that the AFL Commission had enlisted independent legal counsel to assess whether the Cats should face penalties for the issue. The 31-year-old Kolodjashnij was selected by the club in 2013 and has made 209 appearances for Geelong. His last AFL game was against GWS a month ago. Kolodjashnij's twin brother, Kade, who played for Gold Coast and Melbourne, retired in 2020 due to concussion concerns.