‘Don’t respect that’: Key point of unvaccinated AFL star’s retirement

Unvaccinated footballer Liam Jones has left an AFL great baffled over the telling detail in his shock retirement announcement.

Liam Jones of the Blues marks the ball during and AFL Carlton Blues training session at Ikon Park in Melbourne, Friday, May 29, 2020. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING

Former football star Liam Jones has been criticised over a statement made in his shock retirement announcement on Sunday.

The Carlton defender chose to retire from the AFL rather than become vaccinated against Covid-19 — as mandated under AFL rules and Victorian health regulations for essential workers, including professional athletes.

Jones was required to get vaccinated by November 26 in order to attend pre-season training. He was last week identified as the highest profile AFL player refusing to meet the deadline.

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The 30-year-old asked for fans to respect his privacy and his decision.

However, former Essendon Bombers great Tim Watson gave it to the former Western Bulldogs key forward straight when speaking on SEN radio on Monday.

“I respect his privacy - I don’t really respect his decision because there’s no underlying medical issues here,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“I don’t even respect that (his right to make the decision) - we could all be unvaxxed, but we all get vaxxed for a very good reason because we’re trying to do that right thing by each other as a society.”

Reports claim Jones is walking away from $500,000 with his contract expiring at the end of 2022.

He was also expected to play beyond the upcoming season.

Liam Jones of the Blues. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

“I wish him well in life, I don’t wish him any harm in any way. But he’s walked away from a lot and you can’t get it back,” Watson said.

“I hope he understands what he’s walking away from at this stage of his life.

“It’s like retirement, you know that retirement is coming and that you’re not going to be a part of football one day, but you don’t really understand what it all means.

“Particularly guys that have been in the system as long as he has now when they came into the system as full time footballers. I think you are institutionalised by being part of the AFL bubble for as long as you are. There are a lot of adjustments you’re going to have to make in your life.”

Carlton and Jones’ manager are yet to confirm the reason for Jones’ decision to retire instantly.

“I wish to announce my retirement from AFL football effective immediately,” said Jones.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all who have supported me throughout my journey, both personally and professionally. I love the game and I’ll miss my teammates.”

“I hope that people respect my decision and privacy – neither myself or my management team will be making any further comment on the matter.”

Jones retires with 161 senior appearances to his name. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Carlton head of football Brad Lloyd thanked Jones for his commitment to the Blues.

“We have been in constant dialogue with Liam in recent months and allowing him the time he needed to make an informed decision regarding his playing career,” Lloyd said.

“Liam confirmed with us today that he has made the decision to retire, and his wish for the specific reasons of that decision to be kept private – as a club, we will be respecting that.

“We thank Liam for his seven years of service to the Carlton Football Club, he earned every part of the 161 games he played, which included a complete positional transformation in the middle of his career, that could have only been possible with supreme dedication and hard work.

“We wish Liam all the best for the next phase of his life.”

Jones joined Carlton from the Western Bulldogs in 2015, having made his AFL debut in 2010.

He played his best football at Princes Park, garnering a reputation for his reliable hands and knack for winning marking contests.

Carlton now turns its attention to securing a replacement for Jones on its senior list for 2022.

Jones’ Carlton teammates paid tribute to him on social media.

On his Instagram story, Jacob Weitering called his backline partner-in-crime an “awesome player, great teammate and an even better person”.

Mitch McGovern said Jones was “one of the greatest to ever do it” on his Instagram story.

Ex-Carlton player Michael Gibbons called Jones one of the “genuine all-timers”.

Mitch McGovern was among those to post a message of support for Jones on social media. Image: Instagram

Weitering posted this image to his Instagram story. Image: Instagram

Jones’ decision to retire comes after AFLW player Deni Varnhagen agreed to be removed from Adelaide’s list after she too chose not to become vaccinated.

The 29-year-old, who is a registered nurse by trade, is a two-time AFLW premiership player.

— with Jasper Bruce, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as ‘Don’t respect that’: Key point of unvaccinated AFL star’s retirement