NRL: Titans anti-vaxxer Bryce Cartwright cleared to play after gaining exemption
Gold Coast Titans forward Bryce Cartwright has been successful in avoiding the flu vaccination, gaining clearance from the Queensland Government to play when the NRL season returns.
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Gold Coast Titans forward Bryce Cartwright has been cleared to play in the NRL after receiving an exemption from the Queensland Government to dodge a flu vaccination.
Cartwright will front for training on Friday morning, bringing an end to the controversial vaccination saga which has overshadowed the lead-up to the NRL’s season resumption on May 28.
Cartwright had one last roll of the dice in his bid to avoid a flu jab by applying for a medical exemption to dodge the needle.
He obtained a letter from a doctor outlining medical reasons why he should not receive the vaccination.
And Cartwright was successful, with government officials last night allowing him to return to training and playing despite being the only Queensland-based NRL player to not receive the vaccination.
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Cartwright, who has not vaccinated his two children, has never publicly declared his anti-vaccination views stemmed from a personal medical experience.
In a lengthy social media post last week, he claimed NRL players had “vaccine injured children” and he would not be bullied into receiving a flu-jab.
Cartwright was the last man standing of three Titans players to originally reject the vaccination.
Hooker Nathan Peats received the injection last week after being informed he would be stood down and centre Brian Kelly returned to training yesterday (Thursday).
Kelly eventually agreed to receive the vaccination after the Titans slapped a 48-hour deadline on him and Cartwright which expired yesterday (Thursday).
But Cartwright held strong in his resistance and eventually won after the government granted him a waiver.
“Bryce Cartwright provided the club with medical documentation seeking an exemption from the influenza vaccine protocol,” the Titans said.
“This was subsequently passed on to Queensland’s Chief Medical Officer Jeannette Young for review.
“Dr Young has granted Cartwright an exemption based on medical grounds.
“Cartwright is now eligible to return to training with the playing squad in preparation for the season restart.”
The NRL still has players at other clubs which have yet to receive the vaccination and face being barred from playing in Queensland unless they can obtain exemptions.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold had little sympathy for the NRL’s anti-vaxxers and rubbished suggestions Queensland teams should have to play home games in Sydney to appease them.
“If we’re going to cater for the minority, then we’re kidding ourselves,” he said.
“If we’re having to (play a home game) in Sydney because only seven players from a couple of different teams haven’t gotten the jab, that would be quite unfair.
“Why should the Cowboys, us at the Broncos and the Storm be penalised for the minority? There’s about 500 players across our game.
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“We’ve done the right thing. We’re told we can play at home, we can play at Suncorp Stadium so expect us to play there when the draw comes out.
“I can’t see the point of every single team having to travel interstate to Sydney because a couple of players from three or four clubs haven’t got the jab.
“I understand where the players are coming from so I’m not being critical of them, I don’t think the whole competition has to play in Sydney because of a few certain players.
“If you want to play footy, get the jab. If you don’t want to play footy, stay at home.”
After Brian Kelly agreed to get the vaccination just seven NRL players remain in vaccination limbo – Canberra’s Josh Papalii, Joe Tapine and Sia Soliola, Manly’s Dylan Walker and Addin Fonua-Blake, Canterbury’s Sione Katoa and Cartwright.
Titans club captain Ryan James said he wouldn’t judge his teammates on their personal beliefs, but admitted it would be a blow if they were unavailable for the Gold Coast.
“Bryce and Brian have their own views on that and I fully respect their views,” he said.
“I can’t force them to do anything. It comes down to them and what they want to do.
“Bryce and Brian are key parts to our team. Brian is one of our best players and Carty was starting to play some really consistent footy.
“It’d be a massive loss if we were to lose them for the season.”
Originally published as NRL: Titans anti-vaxxer Bryce Cartwright cleared to play after gaining exemption