Jake Kolodjashnij has identified himself as the Geelong player who secretly signed a concussion waiver without the AFL or AFL Players Association’s knowledge.

In a statement issued via Geelong on Friday, Kolodjashnij said he felt he wanted to be unmasked.

“While I appreciate the efforts made not to identify me, the speculation has left me feeling I needed to address this personally,” the statement read.

“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.”

Reports exposing the deal were first published on Thursday, with the club and player initially unnamed.

But further articles identified the club before reports that the player involved could be delisted at the end of the current season prompted Kolodjashnij to speak out.

The defender didn’t feature at AFL level in 2025 due to several injury issues, but has played 11 games for Geelong this season.

His most recent outing came last week for the club’s VFL side.

Kolodjashnij’s brother, Kade, was forced to retire in 2020 due to significant concussion battles.

The statement came at the end of what had already been an eventful day for the club.

Geelong’s chief executive Steve Hocking denied there was any “coercion” in the deal at a press conference on Friday morning as the AFL issued the club a “please explain” despite confirming they were “satisfied” that Geelong would not be punished.

Hocking said the deal was worked out over a two month process that allowed Kolodjashnij family and legal support.

“It’s really important to note that the player was very well represented, both legally and by his immediate family,” Hocking said.

“(Kolodjashnij) still feels the care from the club is as strong as ever. We had a misstep.

“It was an extensive process, it was conducted over a roughly two-month period.

“The player’s representatives were involved, including family, legal representation as well, and that letter spelt out all of that entire process.

“It took time, it wasn’t rushed, as much as some people believe 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 and for the player and his family.”

He also revealed coach Chris Scott was neither consulted nor made aware of the deal.

“The great thing about our coach is that he stays out of all medical decision-making,” Hocking said.

“It’s really important that’s the case, he’s got a team to coach and so from his point of view, no (he didn’t know).

“We keep him at arm’s length, he’s got a game to coach tomorrow, he’s focused on that and he’s made sure he’s got around the player.”

Earlier in the day, veteran Fremantle ruckman Mason Cox hit out at Geelong for their “back-door” dealings.

“It’s very poor behaviour, to be honest with you,” he said on Nova 100’s Jase, Lauren & Clint show on Friday.

“As a player, health and safety — at any job of any kind of employer — you would expect to be at the highest.

“And to be trying to do back-door deals without the AFLPA being involved is pretty poor.”