Deni Varnhagen is yet to receive her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine despite Nov 19 deadline
Adelaide Crows are still no closer to knowing if their best defender Deni Varnhagen will be available as the premiership player is still unvaccinated, despite the November 19 deadline.
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Adelaide’s two-time premiership-winning player Deni Varnhagen is yet to receive her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, despite the AFL setting a November 19 deadline for women’s players to have received their first jab to continue AFLW pre-season training.
It means the Crows are no closer to knowing whether their 2019 best defensive player will take to the field for her sixth AFLW season in 2022.
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Earlier this month, Varnhagen, 29, became the first known women’s player to have resisted getting the Covid vaccine, prompting a swift response from the AFL, which mandated vaccination for all its men’s and women’s players and club staff.
Under the AFL’s policy released last week, clubs will have the right to sack players who refuse to be vaccinated.
Varnhagen has until November 19 to receive her first dose, and December 17 to receive her second jab ahead of the AFLW’s January 6 season start date.
Crows coach Matthew Clarke said Varnhagen was continuing to educate herself around the vaccine with the help of both AFL and Crows medical teams.
“She’s gathering as much information as she possibly can and we’re supportive of that … ultimately it’s her decision and we’ll respect that decision,” he said.
“From a club’s perspective we’ve been really clear: We are very much promoting everyone to get vaccinated and personally that’s clearly my position as well.
“But ultimately it’s an individual decision and it’s someone’s medical decision, so from that respect we do respect her right to get more information, and if and when we have to cross that bridge, then we’ll do so.”
Clarke said the rest of the playing group were either: “Fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or in the process of”.
Under the AFL’s new policy the Crows could terminate Varnhagen’s contract with her permission or keep her on their list but not play her in 2022 if she does not receive the vaccine.
“We’ve clearly got a date there in terms of November 19th whereby push may come to shove, but then again it might not,” Clarke, who’s in his fourth season in charge of the successful side, said.
“We’ll work to that timeline and make a decision when we have to.”
But Clarke said despite the high-profile nature of Varnhagen’s situation, she was continuing to put in a good showing on the pre-season track.
“She’s training super hard, she’s got great energy and so forth, but it’s clearly an emotive issue across the community and so she’s having to deal with that,” he said.
“But from a training perspective, she’s fronting up and doing all the work, and doing everything we’ve asked of her.
“What I know is that whatever happens on this front, or any front, this (Crows) group is really resilient, this group is good at focusing on task and getting on with task and I’m really confident we’ll be able to do exactly that.”
Port Adelaide reveals pick to lead women’s team
South Australian hockey legend Juliet Haslam will lead the formation of Port Adelaide’s inaugural women’s football team, after being appointed the club’s Head of AFLW.
One of SA’s most decorated athletes, the 52-year-old, two-time Olympic gold medallist will start in the new role in mid-December and will take charge of the Power’s AFLW football operations, culture, coaching appointments, list management and high performance.
Port will field its inaugural AFLW side in the 2022-23 season.
Haslam said it was a privilege to be appointed to the role.
“To be the first official appointment within the club’s AFLW program is an honour and an opportunity I am very much looking forward to,” Haslam said.
“I’ve watched closely the development of the AFLW competition over the past five years, and to now have this opportunity to be involved and help build a successful program at my club is incredibly exciting.
“I am excited by the club’s bold vision, including the transformation of the Alberton Oval precinct and the important role that AFLW will play in shaping the Port Adelaide Football Club of the future.
“Our female athletes will enjoy world-class training facilities and Alberton will transform into a national broadcast venue for AFLW.”
Prior to this role, Haslam has held high-profile sports administration roles including a three-year stint as Hockey Australia’s director.
She has also run her own consultancy business, focusing on business and sports management, marketing solutions and corporate speaking.
She has also consulted to leading sporting entities including the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Olympic Committee.
Port Adelaide chief executive officer Matthew Richardson said Haslam’s appointment marked an important day for the club.
“This marks our first appointment in our AFLW program, and in the context of building the Port Adelaide Football Club of the future, where men and women will represent the heritage and traditions of Port Adelaide from next season onwards, it is a significant moment,” Richardson said.
“Great women have always been at the forefront of our club and Juliet continues this legacy.
“She brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experiences in elite women’s sport, both as a player and administrator.”
Haslam said she was looking forward to providing future generations of young girls and women a pathway to represent Port Adelaide on the national stage.
“While my history with the club brings fond memories, it’s the future of the club that has me most excited with AFLW being an important part of that,” she said.
“Most importantly, Port Adelaide is inclusive, progressive and professional. I can’t wait to start and build an AFLW program that will give us our best opportunity for success.”
Originally published as Deni Varnhagen is yet to receive her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine despite Nov 19 deadline
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