‘Significant’ sanction for Cats’ concussion deal with full findings revealed as two rules ‘breached’
The AFL has fined the Geelong Cats $140,000 for failing to properly lodge contract variations regarding a concussion clause in a player's agreement. While the league found the club breached administrative rules, it noted there was no attempt to conceal the agreement or act in bad faith.
Why it matters
This case underscores the strict regulatory environment governing professional sports contracts and the importance of transparency in player welfare agreements.
AFL TEAMS GEELONG-CATS ‘Did almost everything right’: Cats punished for two ‘breaches’ but AFL denies favourable treatment Kingy slams AFL over Cats 'disaster!' | 01:26 Ben Waterworth from Fox Sports @bjwaterworth August 27th, 2026 4:04 pm The AFL has handed Geelong a significant financial sanction for its heavily-scrutinised concussion clause in premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij’s contract.
But league boss Andrew Dillon says the club did “almost everything right” despite copping a $140,000 fine for breaching two AFL rules relating to a letter signed by Kolodjashnij, which was outside the standard playing AFL contract.
“What they did wrong was not lodge the variations for the agreement with the AFL which is required,” Dillon said on Thursday.
“There was no attempt to conceal and nothing ultimately wrong with entering into the contract – it was the lodging of it.
“It was a misunderstanding of the application of the rules.”
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