GEELONG has been fined a total of $140,000 for its handling of the Jake Kolodjashnij concussion waiver.

AFL chairman and former Geelong president Craig Drummond has also apologised for his role in the club failing to officially notify the league about the concussion waiver in Kolodjashnij's contract.

Earlier this month, the Cats apologised after it emerged Kolodjashnij had signed a deal with the club that included a waiver that was not disclosed to the AFL where the defender effectively took on legal responsibility for future brain trauma. 

The AFL issued the club with a 'please explain' over the incident and engaged an independent lawyer, James Peters KC, to review the case after the Cats submitted their response.

>> READ THE FULL AFL STATEMENT AND FINDINGS HERE

Geelong was fined $100,000 for its actions over the concussion waiver. The remaining $40,000 was a suspended penalty arising from the club's failure to correctly report its third-party deals, following an investigation concluded in October last year. 

AFL chair Craig Drummond, who was the Cats' president at the time the agreement was signed, removed himself from the League's assessment of the case and apologised for the waiver, which he conceded "went too far".

Kolodjashnij dealt with concussions during the 2024 season, but ultimately signed a two-year deal until the end of 2026. He has not played since the story broke, but returned to training ahead of the finals this week. 

His twin brother Kade, who played for Gold Coast and Melbourne, retired in 2020 due to concussion-related issues.

Commissioner Paul Bassat said the AFL had accepted the review's findings. 

"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," Bassat said in a statement.

"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.

"The Commission has imposed a $100,000 sanction and has additionally activated a previously suspended $40,000 sanction relating to a player contracting matter." 

Bassat said the AFL would consider the broader issues of informed consent from players when agreeing to take part in contact sport. 

"All clubs are expected to comply with the rules and processes designed to protect players and the integrity of the game," he said. 

"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."

In a statement on Thursday, after Geelong's penalty was handed down, Drummond insisted Kolodjashnij's health and wellbeing were central to decisions made by the club and the board he led.

"I acknowledge and accept the review findings that the document should have been lodged by the club with the AFL, for which as president at the time I apologise," Drummond said.

"As the chair of the AFL I am committed to a better process to support our clubs, players and officials as we respond to the complex challenges of head trauma and concussion in our game."

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Geelong acknowledged it should have lodged the letter with the AFL and took responsibility for the error. 

"The care and concern for Jake’s wellbeing was and is always at the centre of the Club’s management of this issue.

"The club worked extensively with experts in concussion, medicine, law, risk and insurance. That included experts within the club, the AFL, Jake, his family and his representative as well as engaging heavily with the AFL and the club’s insurers. The process was thorough and considered.

“The independent review concluded there was no intention to conceal the letter or to breach the AFL rules.

“We accept in hindsight the letter constituted a variation of Jake’s playing contract and that it should have been lodged with the AFL and AFLPA. We have taken responsibility for the error publicly and have been fully transparent and accountable through the independent process.

“Our focus remains on continuing to support Jake and his family.

“As President, I accept the findings of the review and acknowledge the AFL’s sanction and recognise the Club’s responsibility in the matter. Alongside our Board and Executive team, we remain committed to learning from all aspects of this process.”

Geelong's $140,000 fine will be paid into the AFL and AFL Players Association players' injury and support fund.