Melbourne’s Tom McDonald claims any AFL vax policy would be ‘ethically wrong’

A premiership-winning Melbourne player believes any mandatory Covid vaccine policy from the AFL would be ‘ethically wrong’.

Demons player Tom McDonald believes it’s ‘ethically wrong’ to enforce vaccinations on AFL players. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Premiership-winning Melbourne player Tom McDonald feels it’s “ethically wrong” for the AFL to enforce a mandatory Covid vaccine policy for its players.

The league is yet to announce an official policy in regards to players getting the vaccine, but with the Victorian government’s requirement for high-level athletes to either be fully vaccinated or at least have a booking coming into effect last Friday, it could make for a sticky situation should there be any unvaccinated players left.

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The vaccinated McDonald, who was back training with his Melbourne premiership teammates at Gosch’s Paddock on Monday, said he agreed with making the jab mandatory for some sectors like health care and aged care but not footballers.

“I’m vaccinated and most players would’ve been (by now), but to be honest, I think it’s ethically wrong to force people into a medical procedure,” McDonald told reporters.

“I think we’re on track. We would’ve got 90 per cent as a state anyway and I don’t see why we needed to cause such issues and division by forcing people (to get vaccinated) in many jobs where it’s probably not as necessary.”

Tom McDonald says he wouldn’t have an issue playing with anyone who wasn’t vaccinated. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Asked if he would have any issues playing against non-vaccinated opponents, McDonald said: “No issue at all. That’s why you get vaccinated, you protect yourself. I don’t understand why we need to force other players to.”

In a statement posted to his Twitter account, AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh seemed to echo McDonald’s sentiments and felt some things were bigger than the sport, especially a player’s private medical situation.

“The pursuit of players who are still deciding, decide not to or are unable to get vaccinated for Covid-19 applies unfair and unnecessary pressure on them and their loved ones in circumstances where the rest of us would be afforded privacy,” Marsh said.

“Our players are passionate about the game and any decision to not receive a vaccine that may ultimately mean walking away from a career they love is not a decision any player would make lightly.”

AFLPA chief Paul Marsh says some things are bigger than sport. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

With a Richmond AFLW player testing positive on Monday, it may be a sign of things to come once society returns to life as normal.

Marsh believed it was likely to expect more positive cases in the AFL, but emphasised the need for holding off any speculation of which players were involved.

“Whilst we know that people will be interested in these cases, especially once the season returns, we ask that people refrain from speculating on the identity of these players and respect the privacy of anyone impacted by the virus as they recover,” Marsh said.

“Clubs will, of course, share necessary details at the right time as positive cases impact (an) athlete’s ability to train or play.

“We are living in an extraordinary time, let’s ensure we maintain respect for each other as we navigate through it.”

Originally published as Melbourne’s Tom McDonald claims any AFL vax policy would be ‘ethically wrong’