Geelong Cats CEO Steve Hocking has issued the following statement:

In relation to media reporting today, Geelong Football Club acknowledges that the letter signed with one of its players went further than was intended and recognises the absence of the AFLPA in the process. The Club will remove the waiver outlined in the letter, noting that the player continues to acknowledge potential risks.

At the time, the Club was involved in extensive discussions with a player, their family and representative in relation to that player's concussion history. Those discussions, including medical advice from the Club's Chief Medical Officer and the AFL Concussion Panel, were documented in the letter, signed by the player. No direction was given requiring the player to medically retire.

The Club was not attempting to vary the terms of the AFL standard playing contract, or attempting to avoid its responsibilities under health and safety laws.

The Club’s focus throughout the process was providing care and support to the player, with the intention to give the player agency in the decision making process around their own playing career.

The Club always aims to ensure that players are provided with information to enable them to make informed decisions about their careers.

The Geelong Football Club is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all its players, including ongoing education about the risks of concussion in contact sport.