AFL draft prospect in lockdown after being diagnosed with Covid-19

A young footballer rated a top-40 prospect in next month’s AFL draft has contracted the coronavirus and is currently in lockdown.

A Victorian footballer rated a top-40 prospect in next month’s AFL draft has contracted the coronavirus and is currently in lockdown.

The player’s agent notified clubs this week of his Covid-19 diagnosis, as well as the fact he is unvaccinated.

His manager confirmed to the Herald Sun the teenager was booked in to have his first vaccination dose on Tuesday this week, but the appointment was postponed after his diagnosis last Saturday.

It’s understood both of his parents are now vaccinated as a work requirement.

The AFL this week mandated that all AFL and AFLW players and football department staff must be vaccinated to take part in training and games.

That announcement followed extensive discussions at government level and with the AFL Players’ Association.

The plan is for the player to receive his first dose in two Mondays’ time – assuming he tests negative next Saturday — then for him to be fully vaccinated by, or before, November 24, when the first round of the draft will be held.

A likely AFL draftee has been diagnosed with Covid.

He will be able to start pre-season on time if that timeline occurs, and his draft status should not be impacted.

Multiple teams were set to interview him this week, including one in person, but they were put on hold because he had symptoms the first few days after his diagnosis.

Representatives from 10 or more clubs have spoken to the footballer or inquired about him and he is as good as certain to be drafted.

Recruiters are asking prospective draftees about their vaccination status, while some players sought clarity on the situation in their interviews before the mandate announcement.

Andrew Dillon, the AFL’s executive general manager of football, expects only a limited number of AFL and AFLW players and staff to be vaccine reluctant but they are in the process of “collating that information”.

Adelaide’s Deni Varnhagen is one AFLW player who was resisting being vaccinated but that was before this week’s AFL mandate.

She is expected to meet with AFL-appointed medical experts.

Dual St Kilda best-and-fairest winner Georgia Patrikios has been on leave since the day the vaccine mandate news was released but the Saints have not confirmed that as the reason for her absence.

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said this week the player union would continue to speak to footballers who didn’t want to be vaccinated.

“We don’t tend to talk about individual circumstances but we are aware of players from throughout the competition,” Marsh said.

“We have had lots of conversations with individual players and we will continue to support any player in this position.”

Originally published as AFL draft prospect in lockdown after being diagnosed with Covid-19