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A Carlton AFL player is refusing to have his COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of the club starting pre-season training.
It is understood the unnamed player is the only Blue to not have agreed to being vaccinated.
He would be the first AFL player to refuse his jabs.
The news comes after Adelaide announced last Friday their dual AFLW premiership defender Deni Varnhagen would go onto their inactive list because she will not have her COVID-19 jabs.
The @AFL is grappling with a new vaccine shock tonight. @cleary_mitch is at Carlton headquarters, where one player is refusing to get the jab. https://t.co/5zYfOfohG3 #7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/r1u0NTnjl3
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) November 9, 2021
The Blues and the AFL would not comment, with Carlton’s AFL players officially starting their pre-season under new coach Michael Voss later this month.
Privately, it was noted the player does not have to make a final call for several days yet.
First to four-year players will start training on November 22 and the rest of the senior squad will return on December 6.
The AFL released its long-awaited COVID vaccination policy on October 21, with all AFL and AFLW players and club staff needing jabs before the starts of their seasons.
Under the first stage of the policy, all players and staff at Victorian clubs need their second shots by November 26.
That is because of the Victorian government’s authorised worker vaccination mandate.
The last AFL deadline for vaccinations is February 18.
Under the AFL vaccination guidelines a player could be sacked on May 18 next year, but there are several options open to clubs before taking that step.
On Monday, Adelaide captain Chelsea Randall said it would be up to Varnhagen whether she changes her mind on vaccination.
Randell added the Crows respected Randell’s decision, saying it was mutual and they are keeping in touch with her.
Varnhagen, who works as a registered nurse in intensive care units, had been in discussions with the Crows over her jab stance.
All AFLW players and football staff are required to receive their first vaccination by November 19 and be fully vaccinated by December 17.
-AAP
