Premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij has identified himself as the player with a history of concussions who signed a secret deal with Geelong that required him to assume all legal responsibility for future brain trauma.
News broke on Thursday that a player had signed a waiver in 2024 in a bid to exonerate the Cats and its medical staff from future court action.
Geelong were issued with a 'please explain' from the AFL on Friday evening, before Kolodjashnij, 30, chose to say he was the player involved.
"While I appreciate the efforts made not to identify me, the speculation has left me feeling I needed to address this personally," Kolodjashnij said in a statement issued through Geelong. "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. "I want to thank my family, the AFLPA, my manager, my teammates and the football club for their support over the past 24 hours. "I am healthy, feeling good, and focused on playing my role for the team for the remainder of the season."
Kolodjashnij, who has played 209 games including Geelong's 2022 premiership win, dealt with concussions during the 2024 season, but ultimately signed a two-year deal until the end of 2026.
His twin brother Kade, who played for Gold Coast and Melbourne prematurely retired in 2020 due to concussion.
Jake Kolodjashnij has played 11 games this year after missing all of 2025 through hip surgery, and groin and back issues.
Earlier, Cats chief Steve Hocking didn't name Kolodjashnij as he talked through Geelong's process.
Hocking said the "extensive process" wasn't rushed and Kolodjashnij, who had family and legal representation, wasn't "coerced" into signing anything and wanted to return to play.
"In the first instance, the player goes to the concussion panel, and at that particular time, there was no either-way decision given," Hocking said.
"So it was handed back to the football club, and from there, it was on us, including our medical officer of the time, the player, the club, and all of our board and our executive to work through that.
"And that was a significant process ... it was two months' worth of work, and it was really important to make sure that the player was stepped through his rights and the options that were on the table for him.
"It was about achieving informed consent, as far as the player and his family go. The player was keen to continue to play. I think it's really important to know that."
