NRL vaccination 2021: Panthers, Bulldogs, Storm heading for major anti-vaxx trouble

Stressed clubs are in urgent talks about the power to terminate the contracts of unvaccinated players as teams struggle to immunise their playing groups against Covid.

SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Knights celebrate after Mitchell Pearce kicked the winning penalty goal during the round 24 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Gold Coast Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium, on August 26, 2021, in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Newcastle have become the first NRL club to record their entire playing roster as fully-vaccinated.

Conversely, the major milestone has emerged at a tipping point for the code, with other clubs in urgent talks with the RLPA about the power to terminate the contracts of unvaccinated players.

The RLPA have spent the past week working with a select group of six club CEOs on forming a framework of how clubs manage the salaries and contracts of unvaccinated players.

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The Knights have all members of their top 30 playing roster for 2022 vaccinated.

The Storm with Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Bulldogs with Luke Thompson and Penrith with Api Koroisau are headed for major issues should the trio continue their anti-vaxx stance.

Elsewhere, the Eels, Sharks and Sea Eagles also have one player each standing firm against vaccination, while of more concern, the Raiders, Titans and Broncos have several players on their books who are yet to receive their first jab.

Under a framework set to be presented to the NRL this week, the RLPA wants clubs to consider the termination of contracts as a last resort, with the docking of pay being proposed as a first step scenario.

A loan system between clubs to help cover the stand down of an unvaccinated player has also been floated by the RLPA, but the practicality is considered futile.

The NRL has been loath to make vaccination mandatory across the code, leading to some frustration from clubland.

Such is the tension from some clubs over how they continue to pay a player that under government health orders, isn’t allowed to train - and potentially play - within a stadium precinct in both NSW and Victoria, the clubs are considering going “it alone” by making vaccination mandatory.

Those decisions are only a fortnight away from being made.

The Storm are facing a serious dilemma with Asofa-Solomona with the towering forward edging closer to being unable to fulfill his contract requirements.

Asofa-Solomona is due to return on December 7 for pre-season training - four weeks away - leaving him little time to receive two jabs in the required timeframe of three weeks between a first and second jab.

He posted an anti-vaxx message on social media this week.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona posted an anti-vaxx message on social media this week.

Understandably, Storm CEO Justin Rodski is desperate to receive guidance from the RLPA and NRL on how and why the club should continue to pay Asofa-Solomona his $550,000 salary, if he is unable to train with the team.

It’s almost certain that should Asofa-Solomona fail to receive his first jab this week, he will be unable to return to training on December 7.

There are no such issues at the Knights.

News Corp can confirm the entire top-30 roster for 2022 at Newcastle are fully-vaccinated - a significant first for the code.

The NRL have been informed of the Knights strong vaccination position - a positive sign of the club’s leadership in providing their players with expert advice and information surrounding the complex issue.

The Dragons are also edging towards a totally vaccinated squad.

St George-Illawarra only have one player - on a development contract - yet to receive his double-dose.

Because they train within a stadium precinct at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, under NSW health orders, every Dragons player must be vaccinated to train.

Titans shake off anti-vax dramas after slow uptake

- Travis Meyn, Peter Badel

The Gold Coast Titans insist they will reach 100 per cent Covid compliance following last year’s anti-vaccination dramas as Immortal Mal Meninga urged NRL players to get the jab.

The Titans are expecting to have their entire squad available for the start of pre-season training in a fortnight despite some initial vaccine hesitancy in the group.

While the NRL has not mandated Covid vaccinations, players that do not receive the jab will be forced to live and train under more restrictive protocols.

The Titans endured an anti-vaxxer drama last year when centre Brian Kelly and forward Bryce Cartwright were stood down after refusing to receive flu shots.

Bryce Cartwright came under fire for refusing a flu jab in 2020, but eventually gained an exemption. Picture: Getty Images.

Kelly eventually agreed to be vaccinated but Cartwright stood his ground and secured a medical exemption. He has since left the Titans and is now playing for Parramatta.

The Titans also had some players’ relatives that refused to be Covid tested as part of the NRL requirements for the season to progress.

A number of Titans players were slow to take up the vaccine during the off-season, but that changed when the NRL last week outlined its protocols for unvaccinated players.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said that triggered an uptake and the club was on track to have all players at least partially vaccinated in the coming days.

“We are going to be at 100 per cent with the way we’re going,” he said.

“We’ve had really good uptake over the last week since the A and B protocols have been published.

“I reckon we will be at 100 per cent by the start of pre-season when they all get back. There is a couple of other clubs struggling but we’re in a good place.

“Putting the protocols out showed that without vaccination you were going to be under a set of protocols that would be fairly restrictive.

“It made everyone get into gear. We are in a good place.

“It’s all about education. It’s looking positive. I think we will be 100 per cent.”

Brian Kelly also refused the flu jab at first, before eventually receiving the vaccine. Picture: Getty Images.

A number of big-name NRL stars are facing uncertain futures due to their refusal to be vaccinated.

Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been banned from training at the club’s headquarters and others face similar situations and travel restrictions.

Titans culture chief Meninga urged players to do their bit for society and the game and get vaccinated.

“I’m an advisor to the Titans, so I’m not across all the details in relation to injections for players,” he said.

“The NRL protocols are pushing for 95 per cent vaccination and the Titans as a club are confident we will get to 95 per cent.

“I’m fully vaccinated and as a game, we have lived and breathed the Covid experience over the past two years.

“Vaccinations are important for the health of Australian society and the game shouldn’t be excluded from that.”

NRL STAR’S VAX STANCE PUT $10M DEAL AT RISK

— Brent Read

Penrith star Api Koroisau is set to miss the Panthers’ grand final parade over vaccination concerns.

Sources confirmed the Panthers were confident Koroisau would get vaccinated, but it would be too late to take part in the celebration of the club’s premiership win, which is scheduled to take place later this month.

Koroisau’s delay in getting the jab comes after North Queensland officials made a breakthrough with their highest-paid player, Jason Taumalolo. Taumalolo had hesitated to get vaccinated against Covid-19, but it is understood he will have his first shot this week after he was convinced that it was in the best interests of his health and career.

Apisai Koroisau is set to miss the Panthers’ grand final parade. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Taumalolo is one of the highest-paid players in the game but his contract – or at least part of his pay packet – would have been placed in jeopardy had he refused to be vaccinated.

Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Manly’s Dylan Walker are the other high-profile players who have been identified as reluctant to get the vaccine, although their respective clubs are hopeful they will either fall into line or receive a medical exemption.

The Panthers have scheduled a grand final parade for November 20 as they look to share their premiership success with their fans, who were forced to watch their team’s win over South Sydney from afar after the competition was moved to southeast Queensland.

Koroisau was a key player in their season but is not expected to be part of the celebrations because time constraints mean he is unlikely to be doubly vaccinated in time.

His likely absence comes as the NRL reopens talks with the players union over the introduction of uniform rules for clubs as they deal with players who refuse to be vaccinated.

Koroisau in action during the NRL grand final. Picture: NRL Photos

Rugby League Players Association chief executive Clint Newton had reached out directly to clubs to address the situation after becoming frustrated in talks with the NRL.

It is understood the NRL reignited talks over the weekend and want to be involved in the discussions given the contractual implications that would be involved in dealing with players who refuse to be vaccinated.

The NRL late last week issued a directive to clubs that left the mandating of vaccinations in their respective hands. It also said that clubs should be guided by their own legal advice when it came to the contractual implications of players refusing to be vaccinated.

The players union was concerned that there could be inconsistencies across clubs and sought to address the issue through negotiations with the NRL. When those talks appeared doomed, they went directly to clubs to seek consensus on how to deal with the issue.

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Originally published as NRL vaccination 2021: Panthers, Bulldogs, Storm heading for major anti-vaxx trouble