Ex-Carlton defender Liam Jones in surprise QAFL return with Gold Coast club Palm Beach Currumbin

Liam Jones shocked the AFL community after his refusal to abide by the leagues vaccine policy lead to his retirement - now he has a new home on the Gold Coast.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Liam Jones of the Blues looks on during the 2021 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 18, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Retired AFL footballer Liam Jones has signed with Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) club Palm Beach Currumbin Lions, the Gold Coast club announced via Facebook on Friday afternoon.

The former Carlton defender announced his shock AFL retirement in November last year after failing to meet the one-dose Covid-19 deadline under the AFL’s vaccine policy.

Jones had played 161 games at Carlton and the Western Bulldogs over 12 seasons.

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Former star Carlton defender Liam Jones has signed with the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions in a surprise move.

Palm Beach coach Russell Maloney, holidaying in Airlie Beach, confirmed the signing soon after the post went live.

“I knew it was happening and the club kept me informed of it all. They’ve suddenly rung me and said the deal was done,” Maloney told News Corp.

Maloney said the club was always in the hunt for “a big fish” and when it failed to land delisted Gold Coast Sun Jacob Townsend, who went to VFL side Southport, Jones somehow fell in the lap.

“His manager contacted us and told us what the situation was,” Maloney said.

“We’ve had a few conversations with the manager for a few weeks and he was happy with what we were talking about and how it was situated.

“Our recruitment officer met with Liam last night (Thursday) and got the deal done, signed and sealed.”

Club president Anne Cornish said Jones’ manager got in contact with the club in late November, not long after the key defender had announced his AFL retirement.

Jones sensationally walked away from the AFL because of his refusal to get the Covid vaccine.

“I reckon it was around late November he made contact with me and said Liam was moving up this way and would be interested,” Cornish said.

Maloney told News Corp that Jones was living in Burleigh Heads.

Cornish could not confirm whether Jones had been vaccinated against Covid-19 since his AFL retirement.

“I don’t know about all that. He’s a (Queensland) resident now, so I’m not sure what the rules are around vaccination and I have not had that conversation (with Jones),” she said.

“We’ll follow the rules of the government.”

Cornish added Jones would act in a playing and assistant coaching role, as well as working with the strength and conditioning team.

Palm Beach Currumbin already has former Collingwood forward Jack Anthony on its books, with the 51-game AFL player still weighing up his playing future.

“Jack Anthony is still registered with us … how good would it be to have Liam Jones at the back and Jack Anthony up forward,” Cornish said.

“It’s huge. One of the biggest signings in my time at the club and I’ve been here 13 years.”