Jake Kolodjashnij (right) with twin brother Kade. Kade was forced to retire from the AFL due to concussion issues. (Getty Images: Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking said the club had been issued a 'please explain' over its controversial concussion contract.
Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij revealed himself as the subject of the contract on Friday.
Kolodjashnij, who is listed as an emergency for today's game against Essendon, faces an uncertain future in the AFL.
Geelong has been handed a belated 'please explain' notice from the AFL after initially avoiding sanction over its controversial secret deal with defender Jake Kolodjashnij, a player with a history of concussions.
In 2024, Geelong struck a secret agreement with Kolodjashnij, who on Friday evening identified himself as the player in question, whereby he took on legal responsibility for future brain trauma in a bid to exonerate the club and its medical staff from court action down the line.
The bombshell concussion case emerged on Thursday and pressure mounted on the league and Geelong after the AFL didn't hand down any punishment that night.
On Friday afternoon, Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking said he had signed off on the deal and confirmed the 'please explain' notice.
Geelong's Steve Hocking said the club would provide information to the AFL about Kolodjashnij's contract. (AAP Image: Erik Anderson)
"I take responsibility for the fact that we didn't lodge it with the AFL and the (AFL)PA," Hocking told reporters in Geelong.
"… 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."
Hocking said not registering the deal was a "misstep" and was uncertain what consequences Geelong would face.
"We've got a 'please explain' letter, and at the appropriate time we'll work through that with the AFL," he said.
"We'll have to respond to that, and then it'll be up to the AFL, and whatever that is, we'll accept."
Later on Friday, Kolodjashnij issued a statement through Geelong, confirming he was the previously unnamed player.