Geelong’s Jake Kolodjashnij’s career is in a “holding pattern” as the Cats await a probable sanction from the AFL over their handling of a secret concussion deal.

Kolodjashnij, a member of the Cats’ 2022 premiership team, didn’t train on Monday after coming forward as the previously unidentified player who came to an agreement with the club over his history of head knocks.

After missing all of the 2025 season due to groin, hip and back issues, the 31-year-old has made 11 AFL appearances this year.

Kolodjashnij was managed out of the team in round 19 and has played one game in the VFL since.

“He was going along his business having chosen his path forward and wanting to play the game and understanding the risks and the circumstance that he was in,” Geelong defensive coach Nathan Buckley told Fox Footy on Monday night.

“With the advent of this revelation, his circumstances have changed quite significantly.

“Didn’t see him at the club (on Monday), but the club is putting a lot of support around him.

“But he’s in a holding pattern, waiting to see what happens to his career beyond here.”

Geelong and the AFL have come under-fire for their management of the case, with Cats legend Jimmy Bartel even critical of his former club.

“Geelong’s issue, for me, is the avoidance of proper governance and process,” Bartel told 3AW.

“How can we have a concussion panel who’s there to make that decision, the tough decision, come back and go, ‘not sure’.

“The issue for Geelong is the hiding of the side deal, to circumnavigate his contract, which paints the picture that you’re not doing things on the up.”

Kolodjashnij dealt with concussions during the 2024 season, but ultimately signed a two-year deal until the end of 2026.

His twin brother Kade, who played for Gold Coast and Melbourne, prematurely retired in 2020 due to concussion.

Instead of getting a definitive answer when he was forced to face the AFL concussion panel, Kolodjashnij was left in limbo about playing on or retiring.

Multiple AFL players, including former Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw, champion West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern and former No.1 pick Paddy McCartin, were forced into retirement due to repeated concussions.

Geelong’s board held a crisis meeting on Monday to formulate its response to the AFL after the league issued the club with a belated ‘please explain’ on Friday.

After news broke of the controversial agreement last Thursday, the AFL and Geelong attempted to shut down the story by issuing statements within 10 minutes of each other later that night.

But less than 24 hours later, Geelong, through chief executive Steve Hocking, confessed to making a “mis-step”.

The AFL also decided to push for more information about their dealings with Kolodjashnij.

The league is expected to report its findings later on Tuesday.