The AFL Commission has considered the independent review into the Geelong Football Club's failure to lodge a letter signed by player Jake Kolodjashnij in February 2024.
The independent review, conducted by James Peters KC, found Geelong breached AFL Rules 4.3(a) and 28.3(c) in relation to the letter.
The review found the letter constituted a variation to Mr Kolodjashnij's Standard Playing Contract and should have been lodged with the AFL and AFLPA.
A summary of the independent review's findings is included below.
>> SUMMARY OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO GEELONG FOOTBALL CLUB
Having considered the findings and recommendations of the review, the AFL Commission has imposed a $100,000 sanction on the Geelong Football Club. In addition, a previously suspended $40,000 sanction relating to a lodgement breach has been activated.
The total sanction accordingly is $140,000. The amount will be paid into the AFL and AFLPA Players’ Injury and Support Fund in addition to the AFL’s existing commitment to that fund.
The review found Geelong had given careful and detailed consideration to the risk of Mr Kolodjashnij continuing to play following an uncertain outcome from the AFL Concussion Panel, and consulted extensively with the AFL, club doctors, lawyers, insurers, and Mr Kolodjashnij and his family.
The form of the letter ultimately agreed between Geelong and Mr Kolodjashnij was not provided to the AFL or AFLPA and it was not lodged as required under AFL Rules.
The review found Geelong did not intend to conceal the existence of the agreement or deceive the AFL or AFLPA.
It further found there was no inappropriate or improper conduct warranting additional action under AFL Rules by either Geelong or AFL representatives and made no adverse findings in relation to the Club’s decision to enter into an agreement with the player to mitigate its legal exposure.
It also found that Mr Kolodjashnij was not coerced into signing the letter.
It noted that Geelong had acknowledged at the time that the agreement did not relieve it of its obligations to act in the player’s best interests.
Consistent with previously disclosed arrangements, AFL Commission Chair Craig Drummond, who was President of Geelong at the time the letter was executed, was not involved in the Commission's consideration of the matter.
The AFL also notes the waiver contained in the letter has since been removed and clubs have been reminded of their obligations regarding the disclosure and approval of any arrangement that may affect player rights, protections or contractual terms.
On behalf of the Commission, Paul Bassat said the AFL Commission had accepted the findings of the independent review.
"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.
"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.
"All clubs are expected to comply with the rules and processes designed to protect players and the integrity of the game.
“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.”
The AFL Commission considers the matter finalised.
