Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes has slammed the “ridiculous” fallout to the Geelong concussion saga, saying the reaction to the story has gone over the top.
The Cats are bracing for a potentially massive penalty as they prepare to submit their reply to the AFL’s ‘please explain’ over the secret concussion deal with Jake Kolodjashnij.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kane Cornes says response to Geelong controversy is over the top
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There is also mounting pressure on Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking and AFL Chairman Craig Drummond, who was president of the Cats at the time.
The story has dominated the AFL world since it was first thrust into the spotlight on Thursday morning.
The AFL initially said there would be no penalty when they first addressed the situation on Thursday night, but that prompted more backlash and a ‘please explain’.
As well as a massive fine, some pundits have called for Geelong to be stripped of draft picks like Adelaide were over the infamous Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal, while others have likened the situation to the Essendon doping saga.
But Cornes said those comparisons have gone too far.
“I can’t believe it. Like, it’s been a race to who can be the most outraged, and it seems to have got more severe as the days have gone on,” Cornes said on The Agenda Setters.
“The reaction to this has been ridiculous.
“I certainly don’t link it to the Essendon drug saga. Or I certainly don’t link it to salary cap cheating.
“The concussion saga worse than salary cap cheating? Like, comparable to the Essendon (doping) saga? So, no, I don’t compare it to Essendon, and I don’t compare minor issues to salary cap cheating.
“Let’s sack everyone. Who can sack someone first because of a minor issue that they didn’t log with the AFL, which the player was happy to sign.
“Let’s compare it to drug-taking and players that were injected with things that they didn’t know about. Let’s link it to massive salary cap cheating scandals.
“Like, what are we doing here? Have we not made an error?
“I think a fine, a respectable fine is the right level of sanction here and then hopefully we can move on.”
Pressure has mounted on Geelong and the AFL since it emerged last Thursday that the Cats struck an agreement with Kolodjashnij, who had a history of concussion, that went unsighted by the league and the AFL Players Association (AFLPA).
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon on Monday sent a memo to club chief executives, urging any with concerns over similar arrangements outside of standard player contracts to lodge them with the AFL and AFLPA.
“We acknowledge this has been a challenging time for Jake, our club and Geelong supporters,” Cats president Grant McCabe said in a Monday morning statement.
“The board has met this morning to discuss our response to the AFL’s letter, that will be submitted by end of day Tuesday, 11 August.
“This will provide the club with the chance to detail the actions it took in navigating this complex matter. We welcome this opportunity.
“The club remains committed to providing our players with the highest standard of care and support.”
Hocking was Cats chief executive and Drummond club president when the deal was struck two years ago with Koladjashnij.
The Geelong defender signed a waiver that meant he effectively took on legal responsibility for future brain trauma in a bid to exonerate the club and its medical staff from potential court action.
In Monday’s memo, clubs were reminded that any agreements outside the standard playing contract needed to be lodged with the AFL.
Any arrangement without league approval would be treated as ineffective or unenforceable.
— with AAP
