Episode Details
Back to EpisodesMonologue: The AFL’s Concussion Waiver Scandal
Description
NOTE: This episode reports on matters covered in the media and public statements; it does not allege guilt or wrongdoing by any individual or organisation named. Information is current as of recording and may have changed since.
A factual look at the AFL's 2026 concussion-waiver case involving Geelong and Jake Kolodjashnij: what the reporting shows happened, how the AFL and AFLPA responded, and what it raises about consent, governance, and accountability in professional sport.
04:00 - Introduction to Episode
06:30 - What is Said to Allegedly Happen
13:45 - Geelong’s Own Clubs Doctors
20:10 – The Money Question
24:00 – Is there Double Standards with Hollands Case and Port Adelaide?
29:35 – Risk to the Player
35:10 - Consent in Professional Sport
40:16 – 2001 CISG/ Jordan Lewis Concussion
44:50 – Athletes Can Not See Past Next Week
REFERENCE LIST
1. Clark, Jay. Report via CODE Sports (video), summarised in “Shock concussion report as club's ‘secret deal’ with player sets ‘dangerous example’,” AFL Daily / NewsBeep, 2026. https://www.newsbeep.com/au/844998/
2. “AFL club had secret concussion deal with player: report.” AAP, syndicated via Newcastle Herald. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/9325028/afl-club-had-secret-concussion-deal-with-player-report/
3. Edmund, Sam. “Revealed: Victorian giants named in secret concussion deal.” SEN, August 2026. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2026/08/05/afl-news-concussion-bombshell-secret-deal-afl-aflpa
4. “AFL and AFLPA release statement: Victorian club at centre of secret concussion deal revealed.” Zero Hanger, 2026. https://www.zerohanger.com/victorian-club-at-centre-of-concussion-deal-revealed-180859/
5. “Geelong avoids sanction over player concussion deal.” AAP wire report. https://www.bunburymail.com.au/story/9325028/geelong-avoids-sanction-over-player-concussion-deal/
6. “Geelong Cats receive please explain letter from AFL over concussion deal.” AFL.com.au. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1578601/geelong-cats-receive-please-explain-letter-from-afl-over-concussion-deal
7. “Cat identifies himself as concussion waiver player.” AAP, via Moree Champion. https://www.moreechampion.com.au/story/9326238/cat-identifies-himself-as-concussion-waiver-player/
8. “Geelong's Jake Kolodjashnij outs himself as player who signed AFL concussion waiver.” Guardian Australia via AOL. https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/geelong-jake-kolodjashnij-outs-himself-091217000.html
9. “Top-six hunting Cats coach kept out of concussion case.” AAP, via Moree Champion / Inverell Times. https://www.moreechampion.com.au/story/9326222/top-six-hunting-cats-coach-kept-out-of-concussion-case/
10. “I apologise for the mistakes made: AFL Chair Craig Drummond sorry for Jake Kolodjashnij affair while he was president of Geelong Cats.” AFL.com.au. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1578906/i-apologise-for-the-mistakes-made-afl-chair-craig-drummond-sorry-for-jake-kolodjashnij-affair-while-he-was-president-of-geelong-cats
11. “AFL chairman, CEO break silence on Cats concussion saga.” AAP, via Moree Champion / Inverell Times / Katherine Times. https://www.moreechampion.com.au/story/9326329/afl-chairman-ceo-break-silence-on-cats-concussion-saga/
12. “Caroline Wilson grills Andrew Dillon over Geelong concussion saga.” 3AW. https://www.3aw.com.au/caroline-wilson-grills-andrew-dillon-over-geelong-concussion-saga/
13. “AFL CEO Andrew Dillon speaks on Geelong-concussion-deal saga, potential punishments.” Zero Hanger. https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-ceo-andrew-dillon-speaks-on-geelong-concussion-deal-saga-potential-punishments-180967
14. “AFL club Geelong under scrutiny ov