Footy stars’ jab push: Make your mark

AFL players and chief executive Gillon McLachlan have made an impassioned plea for Victorians to get the jab so life, and footy, can go “back to normal”.

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield is encouraging people to get the Covid vaccine. Picture: Michael Klein

AFL stars past and present along with the league’s boss have joined together urging Victorians to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated.

Geelong superstar and AFL players association president Patrick Dangerfield led the chorus of support for vaccinations.

He said it was important “we all do what we can” to return to a normal, pre-Covid life.

“I’ll be getting vaccinated as it will help minimise the risks of Covid for me, my family and loved ones and all those I come in contact with,” he said in a message to the whole state.

Giants skipper Stephen Coniglio is joining in the vaccination call. Picture: Michael Klein

On Saturday Victoria entered its 188th day of lockdown since the pandemic began.

Six new cases of coronavirus were detected in the community on Friday, with that figure set to jump today.

Last week national cabinet agreed that 70 per cent of the population will need to be fully-vaccinated before regular lockdowns can end.

As of August 5, 43.62 per cent (2,358,825) of Victorians have received at least one dose but just 21.32 per cent (1,152,530) are fully vaccinated.

GWS captain Stephen Coniglio said the clear way out of lockdowns, and getting crowds back to the footy, was to get vaccinated if you can.

“We’ve all experienced the devastating impact coronavirus has had on our lives, livelihoods and freedoms these past 18 months," he said.

“The clear way out is via vaccination. As a club we encourage everyone of all ages to get vaccinated if you can.

“Consult your doctor, be informed and help us get life — and footy — back to normal.”

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said he had been vaccinated and would encourage everyone who can “to get vaccinated as soon as they can”.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says he has been vaccinated. Picture: Sarah Reed

“If we want to get back to any sense of normality – as families, as sports and as entire communities we need all of us who are eligible to go and get the jab,” McLachlan said.

“The Federal and State Governments have made it really clear that the only way out of this crippling pandemic is vaccination.

“If we want to save lives, save the jobs of friends and families, save our local football and community clubs, save our local businesses and local cafes, we need to get vaccinated.”

South Melbourne legend and triple Brownlow medallist Bob Skilton said not getting vaccinated risked people’s lives.

“They don’t ask us to do this for nothing, it’s for a reason and that reason is we don’t want people to die,” he said.

“Everyone should have it, in my opinion. If they don’t they not only put themselves at risk but everybody else.

“I hope we can get over this in a hurry, let’s make sure we are doing it right.”

Nicky Winmar after his vaccination.

St Kilda champion Nicky Winmar received his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the weekend.

“It’s in the best interests of all Australians, including my Indigenous friends, and I want to encourage all young Australians to get vaccinated,’’ Winmar, 55, said.

“It’s about doing the right thing to keep Australia safe. I just want to see Australia back to being the great country it was.”

Hawthorn legend Leigh Matthews, widely recognised as one of the best ever players, said he would be getting his second AstraZeneca jab on Monday.

He said there was an old saying “God helps those who help themselves” and it was incredibly important for people to act and to arm themselves and the nation against the pandemic.

“I am definitely supportive,” he said.