Demons star questions ‘ethically wrong’ jab mandate

A premiership Demon believes implementing a vaccine mandate for industries like professional sport is “ethically wrong”.

Premiership Demon Tom McDonald says implementing a vaccine mandate for certain industries like professional football is “ethically wrong” as the AFL players’ union boss urged the footy community to respect players’ medical situations.

The AFL, which is confident only a small number of players haven’t been vaccinated yet, could finalise its vaccination policy as soon as this week following lengthy negotiations with the AFL Players’ Association.

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But from Friday, professional footballers are among the groups in Victoria required to have had their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccination.

The vaccinated McDonald, who was back training with his Melbourne premiership teammates at Gosch’s Paddock on Monday, said he agreed with making the jab mandatory for some sectors like healthcare and aged-care, but not footballers.

“I’m vaccinated and most players would’ve been (by now), but to be honest I think it’s ethically wrong to force people into a medical procedure,” McDonald told reporters.

“I think we’re on track. We would’ve got 90 per cent as a state anyway and I don’t see why we needed to cause such issues and division by forcing people (to get vaccinated) in many jobs where it’s probably not as necessary.”

Asked if he would have any issues playing against non-vaccinated opponents, McDonald said: “No issue at all. That’s why you get vaccinated, you protect yourself. I don’t understand why we need to force other players too.”

McDonald’s comments come after it emerged dual premiership Crow Deni Varnhagen, a registered nurse, was resisting the vaccine. It was the first time either an AFL or AFLW player had been linked to rejecting the Covid jab.

It is not mandatory for AFL or AFLW players in South Australia to be vaccinated, meaning Varnhagen was able to train with the Crows on Monday.

AFL Players’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh said players’ medical history, scenarios and choices had to be respected.

“We understand that football is a high-profile sport, however, some things are bigger than the game, including an individual’s private medical situation,” Marsh said via a statement uploaded to his personal Twitter account.

“The pursuit of players who are still deciding, decide not to, or unable to get vaccinated for COVID-19, applies unfair and unnecessary pressure on them and their loved ones in circumstances where the rest of us would be afforded privacy.

“Our players are passionate about the game and any decision to not receive a vaccine that may ultimately mean walking away from the career they love is not a decision any player would make lightly.

“Equally, as the nation begins to open up and learn to live with a new ‘Covid normal’, we may see many more positive cases within the AFL industry. Whilst we know that people will be interested in these cases, especially once the season returns, we ask that people refrain from speculating on the identity of these players, and respect the privacy of anyone impacted by the virus as they recover. Clubs will, of course, share necessary details at the right time, as positive cases impact athletes’ ability to train or play.

“We are living in an extraordinary time, let’s ensure we maintain respect for each other as we navigate through it.”

AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone said the league had run information sessions – and had made itself available to answer more queries – to make clear the benefits of vaccination.

“It’s up to the athlete to make an informed decision and we’ve done as much as we can to be able to put them in that position,” Livingstone told SEN.

“At the end of the day, we are still living through a global pandemic and if anybody, whether or not it is AFL, AFLW or any other sport, feels like playing a sport during a global pandemic is not for them, I have to respect that as well.”

Originally published as Melbourne Demons star Tom McDonald questions ‘ethically wrong’ jab mandate

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