Jake Kolodjashnij (R) played his 200th game for Geelong earlier this season – he will be unavailable for selection in round 23 amid controversy over a concussion waiver. (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)
Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij will not play at either VFL or AFL level this weekend as he and the club continue to face the spotlight over the concussion waiver in his contract.
Geelong had until the end of Tuesday to respond to the AFL's 'please explain' over the secret waiver, which was revealed last week but had not been lodged with the AFL or known about by the AFLPA.
The Cats put out a statement confirming that Kolodjashnij would not be considered for selection this weekend, saying his care and wellbeing remained the club's priority.
The player at the centre of a concussion waiver controversy, Geelong's Jake Kolodjashnij, will not play this weekend as the club prepares to find out whether it will face sanctions.
It emerged last Thursday that the Cats struck a secret agreement with a player, who had had a history of concussions.
Kolodjashnij went public confirming he was the player involved.
The waiver has since been removed from his contract.
"Geelong Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij will be unavailable for selection at AFL or VFL level this weekend," the club said a statement late on Tuesday.
"The care and wellbeing of Jake remains the club's priority, and the club will continue to support him and his family through this period."
The Cats had until the end of Tuesday to respond to the "please explain" from the AFL over the concussion waiver that Kolodjashnij signed but which was never seen by the AFL or the AFLPA.
Geelong is about to reply to the AFL's please explain as the Cats brace for a potential massive penalty over the secret concussion deal with Jake Kolodjashnij.
Amid speculation over the futures of Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking and AFL chairman Craig Drummond, the club board had held a crisis meeting on Monday to work out its response to the league.
Hocking was Cats chief executive and Drummond was the club president when the deal was struck two years ago with Koladjashnij.
The Geelong defender signed a waiver that meant he effectively took on legal responsibility for future brain trauma in a bid to indemnify the club and its medical staff from potential court action.
