GEELONG defender Jake Kolodjashnij has revealed himself as the player at the centre of a secret concussion waiver agreement that prompted the AFL to issue a 'please explain' notice to the Cats. 

In 2024, Geelong struck an agreement with Kolodjashnij, who took on legal responsibility for the effects of any potential future brain trauma in a bid to exonerate the club and its medical staff from court action down the line.

>> READ JAKE KOLODJASHNIJ'S FULL STATEMENT BELOW

The concussion case emerged on Thursday via a News Corp report that did not name the player, and the AFL and AFLPA released a joint statement that night, saying the Cats would remove the waiver from the agreement with the player. The League did not hand down any punishment at the time.

Kolodjashnij released a statement late on Friday afternoon, identifying himself as the previously unnamed player, just hours after Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking said he had signed off on the deal and confirmed the club had received a 'please explain' notice from the League.

"While I appreciate the efforts made not to identify me, the speculation has left me feeling I needed to address this personally," Kolodjashnij said. 

"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.

"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."

Kolodjashnij thanked the club, the AFL Players Association, his manager, club and teammates for their support and said he was feeling good and looking forward to playing out the rest of the season. 

Earlier on Friday, Hocking said he took responsibility for not notifying the AFL and AFLPA of the waiver agreed with Kolodjashnij.  

"I take responsibility for the fact that we didn't lodge it with the AFL and the (AFL)PA," Hocking told reporters in Geelong.

"... Whatever the AFL decide to do from here is up to them.

"I have received a letter of please explain from the AFL in relation to this matter, so we'll deal with that over the coming days."

The notice is a marked change in direction from Thursday night's statement.

Calling it a "complex and unique case", the AFL insisted it was "satisfied that the letter was not used by Geelong to allow a medically unfit player to return to play".

Geelong also issued a statement, saying they would remove the waiver from the contract.

"The club was not attempting to vary the terms of the AFL standard playing contract, or attempting to avoid its responsibilities under health and safety laws," the Geelong statement read.

New AFL Commission chair Craig Drummond was the president of the Geelong board when the deal was struck.

Drummond issued a three-line statement on Thursday night calling concussion a "challenging medical and legal issue for all contact sports globally".

Full statement from Jake Kolodjashnij