Ex-Carlton defender Liam Jones meets with Essendon as he eyes return to the AFL

Liam Jones is determined to return to the AFL next year if the league’s vaccine mandate is dropped. Which clubs are already interested in the defender?

Liam Jones is determined to return to the AFL next year if the league’s vaccine mandate is dropped after meeting with Essendon this week to discuss his future.

Clubs were on the Gold Coast for the AFL’s Under-16 carnival, where Jones plays with Palm Beach Currumbin in the QAFL.

Essendon football boss Adrian Dodoro met with Jones, with that meeting captured by Channel 7.

The AFL is reviewing its vaccine mandate and seems certain to drop it by next season in a move that would allow vaccine hesitant defender Jones to return to the game.

Carlton is on the record making clear they would not be one of the interested parties seeking for him to return to Ikon Park.

But his manager Shane Casley told the Herald Sun on Friday Jones remained intent on returning to football.

His good mate Levi Casboult has suggested his club Gold Coast should consider his services, with Jones still in elite shape at only 31 year of age.

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Liam Jones has met with Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein

“I have been on the record saying if the rules change in the AFL he would like to play next year and hopefully the rules change,” Casley said.

“Hopefully we can talk to clubs pretty soon. You only have to go through the club’s lists to know there are a dozen clubs that need a good full back. If and when the rules change plenty of clubs might be interested.”

Gold Coast has not ruled out all interest but hopes Mac Andrew can develop into a legitimate key defender with Rory Thompson also back from dual ACL tears but now out with a meniscus issue.

Essendon and his former side the Western Bulldogs are both keen to secure a key position defender, with Jones likely to be a cheaper option than Fremantle’s Griffin Logue.

Jones’ decision to retire from Carlton after intense discussions cost him up to $500,000.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said late in June the league was reviewing its mandate in concert with health advice from the Victorian government.

Clubs are hopeful the mandate will be dropped ahead of the AFLW season, which will allow St Kilda’s Georgia Patrikios to return to the game.

Liam Jones is still in elite shape even without playing at the top level. Picture: Getty Images

EX-AFL PLAYER’S SHOCK FOOTY RETURN FROM VACCINE WILDERNESS

- Andrew Capel

Former Crow and Lion Cam Ellis-Yolmen has returned to the SANFL and is expected to be rushed straight into Woodville-West Torrens’ league team this weekend.

The 29-year-old walked away from the AFL in January after refusing to meet the league’s Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

He was placed onto the AFL inactive list by the Lions.

But Ellis-Yolmen has not given up hope of returning to the AFL and after playing with QAFL club Labrador this season, he returned to his original SANFL club the Eagles on Wednesday.

Cameron Ellis-Yolmen is back playing in the SANFL. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

This followed the state league competition’s decision in May to remove its vaccination policy.

Eagles chief executive Luke Powell said the club had kept in close contact with Ellis-Yolmen all season and that once the SANFL dropped its vaccine mandate it tried to lure him home.

His clearance was processed prior to the national transfer window closing on June 30.

Ellis-Yolmen arrived back in Adelaide on Wednesday to start training with the Eagles, who play Port Adelaide at Woodville Oval on Saturday.

Powell described Ellis-Yolmen’s mid-year recruitment as a “huge boost’’ for the back-to-back premier, which fell out of the top five last week after a surprise home loss to Norwood.

“I’ve been in constant contact with Cam and once the SANFL relaxed its vaccine policy we were keen to get him home,’’ Powell told The Advertiser, adding he would likely be rushed straight into the league team for Saturday’s clash.

“Cam still has an ambition of playing AFL again and his best chance to do that is through a higher standard competition, the SANFL.

“With the injuries we’ve had, I’d be confident that Cam would play league footy this weekend because he’s been playing footy, he’s fit enough and he’ll serve a role for us because we need a bigger, taller, stronger body in the midfield.

“He’s a high quality player and will be able to help us in many ways.’’

Ellis-Yolmen played 39 games for Adelaide from 2012-19 before joining Brisbane as a free agent ahead of the 2020 season.

He played nine games in his first year with the Lions but none last year.

Ellis-Yolmen described his decision not to meet the AFL’s Covid protocols as “pretty tough’’ but that he was “putting my health first’’.

He said re-joining the Eagles was “exciting’’.

“It’s great to be back to where it all started and I’m keen to get amongst the SANFL competition and get back to playing in the closest level under the AFL,’’ he said.

“This has been such a quick decision but I think it’s the best decision for me to show I can still play at a high level.’’

Originally published as Ex-Carlton defender Liam Jones meets with Essendon as he eyes return to the AFL