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Kolodjashnij comes forward as Cats player involved in secret concussion deal saga as club issued ‘please explain’ Jake Kolodjashnij has come forward as the player involved in Geelong’s secret concussion waiver saga as the club was issued a “please explain” by the AFL for its handling of the process. The Cats have avoided an AFL sanction for now for the private agreement with Kolodjashnij to assume all responsibility for future brain trauma given the defender’s history of concussions. Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Kolodjashnij on Friday evening identified himself as the player at the centre of the matter after it was previously kept private. “While I appreciate the efforts made not to identify me, the speculation has left me feeling I needed to address this personally,” he said in a statement via 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.” It came after Cats chief executive Steve Hocking “took full responsibility” for the club’s failure to lodge the waiver to the league or player’s association. “You’re looking at that person (who signed off on the waiver)... I take responsibility for the fact we didn’t lodge it with the AFL and AFLPA,” Hocking said told media on Friday. “There’s no reason, it was just a misstep in the process. “I’m quite confident (in my position), I’ve got a board that’s very supportive and I’ll take full responsibility for it. “I’m CEO of the Geelong Football Club. We’ll work through it over the coming week as we have been over the last couple of days.” The deal with Kolodjashnij was signed two years go. Hocking denied that the “extensive” process was rushed and said the player wasn’t coerced into signing the deal. “The player’s representatives were involved including family and legal representation. That letter spelt out all of that, the entire process. it took time,” he said. “It wasn’t rushed, as much as some people believe, that he may have been coerced into it. That is not the case, it was a thorough process. “The care of the player and getting the player back to play was really important for the football club, for the player and his family. “The player was very, very clear and involved. There was agency we were looking to achieve and the player still feels that way today, I’ve dealt with that player today. “He still feels that care from the club is as strong as ever.” Kolodjashnij initially faced the AFL’s concussion panel, which didn’t deliver a verdict on whether they were fit to continue playing. “It was handed back to the football club. From there, it was on us — including our medical officer at the time, the player and all of our board and executive team — to work through that,” Hocking said. “That was a significant process, it was two months of work. It was really important to make sure 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.” Hocking wouldn’t weigh into the delicate nature of AFL chairman and ex-Geelong president Craig Drummond’s involvement, only saying he was “excellent” during his time at the club. “Whatever the AFL decide to do from here is up to them,” he said. “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.” The Cats chief said senior coach Chris Scott wasn’t across the matter. “The great thing about our coach is he stays out of all medical decision making. It’s really important that’s the case,” Hocking added. “He’s got a team to coach … so no. We keep him at arm’s length. “He’s got a game to coach tomorrow and he’s focused on that. He’s made sure he’s gotten around the player.”