Geelong coach Chris Scott insists he is unsure if Jake Kolodjashnij will play for the Cats again following the club’s concussion saga.
Speaking for the first time since Geelong was fined $140,000 for failing to officially let the AFL know about the concussion waiver in Kolodjashnij’s contract, Scott kept it brief.
The dual premiership coach referred back to the club’s response and was adamant he had stayed out of dealings about Kolodjashnij’s future.
Kolodjashnij, who came forward as the player involved shortly after the story broke and has not played at any level since, returned to the club last week ahead of the finals.
If the defender does play it will almost certainly be at VFL level, with the club premiership favourites to win the second-tier competition.
“I’ve been really conscious to separate myself from this,” Scott said about Kolodjashnij.
“This is one of those situations [where] if I could help, I would.
“But I’m told, and I believe independently, that I just wouldn’t be any assistance, so I just don’t get in the way.”
The penalty was $100,000, plus a suspended sanction of $40,000, which stems from the league fining Geelong last October after an investigation into the club’s third-party agreements.
“Hand on heart, I don’t really even know the facts, so I’m certainly not going to be swayed by people who understand the facts less than I do,” Scott said.
“So my go-to is that I just support the club’s position … whether some people accept that wholeheartedly, that’s something you can ask them privately.
“But the club’s position is, it’s best for us to say, ‘OK we acknowledge certain aspects, and we’re keen to move forward.'”
After having the pre-finals bye, Geelong will face red-hot Carlton in an elimination final at the MCG on Friday night.
Speaking on Monday, experienced midfielder Tom Atkins denied the saga was a distraction for the Cats as they aimed to win their fifth premiership this century.
AAP
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