AFLW: Deni Varnhagen breaks silence after being put on inactive list for refusing Covid-19 vaccine

Deni Varnhagen has broken her silence after she became the first player moved to a club’s inactive list for not having the Covid-19 vaccine in the AFL.

Deni Varnhagen has broken her silence after the dual Adelaide AFLW-premiership winner became the first player moved to a club’s inactive list for not having the Covid-19 vaccine.

The now inactive Crow posted on her Instagram that she “always stood up for what I believe in and I will continue to do that”.

It comes as Adelaide AFLW captain Chelsea Randall says the playing group will still support Varnhagen in her time away from the Crows, but they support the club’s call.

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The Advertiser revealed last month that Varnhagen had informed the Crows that she was not yet willing to have the vaccine, the first known player in the AFL.

Days after The Advertiser’s article the AFL released its Covid-19 vaccination policy, making them mandatory for players and staff while those who refused could be sacked or placed on an inactive list and paid a portion of their salaries.

Deni Varnhagen celebrating the Crows’ 2019 AFLW premiership. Pictrue: AFL Photos

On Friday the Crows announced that the club and Varnhagen had come to a mutual decision to place her on the inactive list for the 2022 season.

Varnhagen told the club she does not wish to receive a Covid-19 vaccination, and, as such, she does not meet the requirements of the AFL’s vaccination policy which stipulates all players must have received at least their first dose of the vaccine by November 19 and be fully vaccinated by December 17.

In an Instagram post on Monday Varnhagen said she hoped she could rejoin her teammates “again soon”.

“Firstly I want to thank the community (near and far), my family and friends for their overwhelming support this past month, it has been so so incredible and has really helped me through this deeply challenging time,” she posted.

I’ve always stood up for what I believe in and I will continue to do that, no matter how difficult the journey may seem, there will be light and joy at the end of this road.

“Unfortunately I need to step away from the club for now. I will always love my footy and team, I hope that I can join my team mates again soon.”

In the first hour after posting it to her Instagram account, she had more than 120 comments, with teammates including Hannah Button, Montana McKinnon, Hannah Munyard, Maddi Newman, and Eloise Jones responding with love-heart emojis.

Varnhagen is also a registered ICU nurse away from football and she was at a protest last week against mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers in South Australia.

Adelaide AFLW player Deni Varnhagen at a protest against mandatory Covid vaccinations for SA Heath workers. Picture: 7 NEWS

Randall said the playing group would “support her as a person”.

“It has been a very unique situation and a challenging one for both parties, for the footy club as players and for Deni as well,” she said.

“We respect her decision, we love Deni as a person and the decision has been made and we are just going to have to focus on our footy.

“You just have to respect (the decision), everyone is entitled to their opinion but the club has a stance and that is with the AFL and has endorsed being vaccinated and we strongly encourage that.”

Randall said she spoke with Varnhagen about her resistant to having the jab.

“It was a mutual decision, obviously being able to put Deni on the inactive list,” she said.

“She has said that she is going to continue training hard and bits and pieces and what that looks like for us is to remain in contact with Deni and support her as a person and keep up with our communications.”

Randall said it “was probably a decision for Deni” whether she could play for the Crows again.

Originally published as AFLW: Deni Varnhagen breaks silence after being put on inactive list for refusing Covid-19 vaccine