Jake Kolodjashnij Biography

Chris Scott insists he wants to respect Jake Kolodjashnij's privacy and evades questions surrounding the Cats' concussion waiver.

"I think any player deserves the right to privacy," Scott told reporters.

"I understand that we are in a public game, and there's a quite savage desire to know certain things.

"I suspect the players are saying, 'hey mate, if there is anything we can do ...'.

"In terms of the impact on our broader group, I haven't seen any negativity at all.

"I thought our players, as they have done for a long period of time, they just get on with the job.

"Difficult to compartmentalise sometimes, maybe this is a little more challenging than other times, but I'm still pretty confident we can do it.

"Because the situation is the status quo I haven't felt the need to get an update (on Kolodjashnij)."

The AFL engages an independent lawyer to review the controversial waiver from injury caused by concussion that was signed by Jake Kolodjashnij.

AFL Commission chairman Craig Drummond on Saturday recused himself from the AFL's investigation into the issue, with the legal eye now central to the League's process.

Kolodjashnij missed training on Monday and won't play either VFL or AFL this weekend, with the club saying his wellbeing was its top priority.

AFL Chair and former Geelong president Craig Drummond released a statement about the waiver signed by Jake Kolodjashnij, apologising for the secret concussion deal Geelong made with the Cats defender in 2024.

Kolodjashnij effectively took on legal responsibility for future brain trauma, and Drummond, who became commission chair in March, was the Cats' president at the time the agreement was signed.

"This was an extremely complex and sensitive matter, and obligations to both the player and the club were very carefully considered by the Geelong board," Drummond said in a statement.

"Jake's welfare was central to all discussions and I have been thinking of him particularly over the past few days.

"While the player was medically cleared to play, the club engaged in lengthy discussions including with him, his family, doctors, and insurers about his future and the potential risks of returning to play.

"Regardless of the player's agreement, the club went too far in adding a waiver into an informed consent document and it will be removed."

Geelong coach Chris Scott says he doesn't have enough information to comment on the secret concussion deal with Jake Kolodjashnij.

"Well, it's interesting when people have opinions on it (the waiver). It almost suggests that they know more than me, which may well be the case. But I don't know enough to give an informed opinion on it," Scott said.

"And that's sort of a good description of my role versus someone's role in the media or people kind of loosely involved in this sort of stuff. They're entitled to an opinion. I'd prefer it if it was a bit more informed.

"My opinion, and this is deliberate, is that I am kept at arm's length from these things."

Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij has revealed himself as the player at the centre of a secret concussion waiver agreement that prompted the AFL to issue a 'please explain' notice to the Cats.

In 2024, Geelong struck an agreement with Kolodjashnij, who took on legal responsibility for the effects of any potential future brain trauma in a bid to exonerate the club and its medical staff from court action down the line.

"While I appreciate the efforts made not to identify me, the speculation has left me feeling I needed to address this personally," Kolodjashnij said.

"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."

Jake Kolodjashnij says he is more than content where he is, even as his home state, Tasmania, prepares to become the AFL's 19th club in 2028.

"I'm Geelong through and through; I've been here since I was a kid, slowly matured and started a family, so it'd be hard to pull up stumps and ship over to Tassie," Kolodjashnij said.

"It's a long time away too (until Tasmania joins the AFL), I don't know how the body will be (in 2028). But I'm loving my time at Geelong and I don't really see myself being anywhere else."

Jake Kolodjashnij kicks his first AFL goal in his 127th career game against Greater Western Sydney, breaking one of the game's longest streaks without a major.

Jake Kolodjashnij is set to miss Geelong's 2020 season opener after being sent for hip surgery which will sideline him for at least six weeks.

The Cats had attempted to ease the 24-year-old's ongoing pain through rest but opted to send him under the knife this week.

Jake Kolodjashnij says he is relishing his role as a shutdown defender in 2019.

"I like playing on the quality forwards. I like the challenge," he said.

"Being on that last line and playing on some quality forwards I really relish it. It's quite rewarding if you can limit their influence."

Jake Kolodjashnij signs a two-year extension with Geelong to remain at the club until the end of 2021.

"Jake continues to learn and develop, as he has done since he first arrived at the club," Cats head of football Simon Lloyd said.

"He is an integral part of where we are going as a football club. He is a very consistent player and fits our team ethos."

Jake Kolodjashnij made a costly bet to pay for the end-of-season trip flights for Ryan Gardner if the defender-turned-forward kicked six goals against Northern Blues in the VFL.

After taking on the nickname of 'Plugger' since his move forward in the past fortnight, Gardner will soon be laughing all the way to the USA.

"Joel Selwood's talked about passing the hat around for poor old Kola because he's made the big call he'll pay for his (Gardner's) trip away if he kicked six," Cats coach Chris Scott said.

"I think Jake's on reasonable money, but that's going to hurt him a little bit."

Cats defensive coach Matthew Scarlett who has nominated Jake Kolodjashnij to take a giant leap forward in 2018 following a stellar pre-season.

"He didn't do much in pre-season last year, he had his groins and glandular fever," Scarlett said.

"He hasn't missed a session this year. So hopefully he can have a big year, whether that's around the footy or down back he's going to be pretty versatile."

Jake Kolodjashnij, Wylie Buzza and Jordan Cunico sign new deals with Geelong to remain at the club until the end of 2019.

"We see Jake, Wylie and Jordan as key members of our team well into the future," Geelong’s general manager of football Steve Hocking said.

"Jake has already shown his ability, work ethic and versatility. He plays and prepares in the Geelong way and makes our team and our club better.

"Wylie and Jordan continue to work hard at their craft and while they haven't experienced a lot of football at AFL level, we hope to integrate them as part of our core group in the coming years."

Jake Kolodjashnij is expected to miss at least the next two weeks after surgery to repair a break in his left hand sustained at training.

Geelong have come to terms with emerging defender Jake Kolodjashnij, re-signing him for two seasons.

Jake Kolodjashnij makes his AFL debut for Geelong at Kardinia Park with 7 disposals (2 kicks and 5 handballs), a mark and 4 tackles in a 24-point loss to Melbourne.

After a lifetime of playing together, Jake and Kade Kolodjashnij will play for different teams in 2014 after being drafted by Geelong and Gold Coast, respectively, in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.

"I'm sure over the next couple of days that's when it's going to sink in," Jake said.

"Once we settle down in the new clubs and meet all the boys, make new friends, it'll be fine."

"I was out the back here doing photos and I was worrying about whether Jake had got picked up or not," Kade said.

"It's awesome. He's now at Geelong.

"That (only one brother getting picked) would've been a pretty bad situation ... would've been mixed emotions really."