No jab, no play: Geelong has backed the AFL’s vaccination mandate
The AFL has outlined what steps it will take if a player refuses to be vaccinated, with its hardline stance winning the support of an influential club boss.
AFL
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Geelong has backed the AFL’s hard-line vaccination mandate as clubs work with a handful of reluctant players who could be sacked if they decide against having the Covid-19 jab.
New Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking said on Friday he did not foresee any issues among the Cats playing group or staff.
Hocking expected clubs would quickly fall into line behind the policy, which gives clubs four options, including putting players on an inactive list or eventually sacking them if they refuse to be fully vaccinated.
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Adelaide’s Deni Varnhagen is one player who has so far resisted having the jab and is expected to meet AFL-appointed medical experts in coming days.
St Kilda’s two-time best-and-fairest winner Georgia Patrikios was on leave on the day the vaccine mandates were released.
When asked for a comment about the team’s vaccination status, St Kilda said on Friday it encouraged vaccinations but would not breach confidentiality about the status of its players.
“We won’t be disclosing the individual vaccination status of our people to respect confidentiality around their health record, however we encourage everyone in the community who is eligible to get vaccinated and speak with trusted medical professionals about their options,” the club said in a statement.
St Kilda is the only AFLW sclub not to confirm their players’ vaccination status, with Victorian players now unable to train under state government and AFL rules if they have not had their first vaccination shot.
Hocking said the vaccination mandate was a strong sign of the AFL’s determination to help create a safe workplace.
“I think the AFL are doing an incredible job around this,” he said.
“Clearly the AFLPA and AFL worked together to land it and it would have been very difficult for both parties.
“It’s quite clear where it’s landed in the last 24 hours and our club will take a lead and follow in behind the AFL and AFLPA.”
AFL football general manager Andrew Dillon said he expected only a handful of players would refuse to be vaccinated by the time clubs had to decide whether to stand them down, sack them or pay them a portion of their wage while retaining them on their list.
“At the moment we are collating that information but I am very sure the vast majority of players are vaccinated or intending to be vaccinated so we are talking about a small handful players and we will continue to work with those players and provide them with education and health advice,” Dillon said.
“It’s really hard to get into specifics but by the time we get to the end of it with the ongoing advice and education I am sure it will be a small number
“We have worked closely with the AFLPA on the four options. Any player who doesn’t end up getting vaccinated, there will be an individual circumstance they are dealing with.
“It would be really up to the club and that player to work with the AFL and AFLPA to work on what is the right outcome for that player.”
AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said the player union continued to have conversations with hold-out players who were not yet prepared to be vaccinated.
“We don’t tend to talk about individual circumstances but we are aware of players from throughout the competition, we have had lots of conversations with individual players and we will continue to support any player in this position,” he said.
Covid policy: Contract chaos awaits unvaxxed players
AFL clubs will have the right to sack players who refuse to be vaccinated under a new hard-line mandate released by the league on Thursday.
The new policy means all players and club football program staff must be vaccinated by February 18 to take part in Round 1 next year.
AFLW players must be fully vaccinated by December 17 ahead of the January 6 start to their season.
Clubs will have a number of options if players refuse the jab, including putting them on an inactive list and paying them a portion of their salaries — 25 per cent of AFLW salaries or the CBA minimum base salary for AFL players.
Clubs can also terminate a player’s contract with the player’s permission or keep them on their lists but not play them in 2022 — again on a reduced salary.
If by May 18 next year players are not vaccinated, the policy states the clubs can: “Exercise any rights the club may have at law to terminate the player’s playing contract”.
The AFL Players Association has agreed to the new policy despite admitting it would prefer individuals to have the freedom of choice.
It is understood she has since agreed to talk to experts provided by the AFL.
The AFL said yesterday it needed to share responsibility and address the risk of exposure to Covid-19.
Melbourne premiership player Tom McDonald said this week he had been fully vaccinated under Victoria’s essential worker rules but admitted he was uneasy with vaccine mandates.
The policy establishes a process for medical exemptions for players who are unable to be vaccinated.
The AFL’s general manager of football Andrew Dillon said on Thursday he was confident there would be only a “small handful” of players who would have to be dealt with by the policy.
“At the moment we are collating that information but I’m very confident that the vast majority of players are vaccinated or intending to be vaccinated,” he said.
“So I think we will be talking with a small handful of players and we will work with those players and provide them education and health advice.
“I’m thinking by the time we get to the end of it, with the ongoing education and advice we are giving, I think it will be a small number.”
AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said the players accepted the vaccine mandate.
“In our conversations with players about Covid-19 vaccinations over recent months, we have made it clear that the AFLPA believes in the importance of vaccinations as part of a safe workplace and community and as a pathway out of our current lockdown cycle,” he said.
“In saying this, our view is that vaccinations are an individual decision.
“It has, however became apparent in recent weeks that unvaccinated players will not be able to fulfil their contractual obligations due to various state border restrictions, and the new worker requirements in Victoria.
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