Former Calder Cannons star Georgia Patrikios could be back on the football field this AFLW season.
Patrikios sat out the first 2022 season due to not receiving the COVID-19 first and second vaccines, which had been required under the AFL’s vaccination requirements.
The AFL announced on Thursday it had written to clubs changing the policy from a mandate requiring first and second vaccine doses to ‘strongly encouraging’ all AFL and AFLW Players and AFL industry people to have an “up to date” COVID-19 vaccination status which includes all recommended booster shots.
Under the original policies introduced last year, again consistent with the directions of respective state and territory governments, the AFL adopted a mandate that required all players and others in the industry to be “fully vaccinated”.
The AFL will continue to assist and guide clubs in providing best possible preventative environments where required including the ongoing use of COVID-19 testing and hygiene practices as detailed in our COVID-19 protocols.
In light of AFL vaccination requirements now being revised, those players who were not fully vaccinated and ineligible to play and departed their clubs as a result may now seek to re-enter the AFL or AFLW system pursuant to the list management rules applicable to AFL and AFLW respectively.
AFLW players who were not vaccinated but remained as inactive listed players, are now eligible to be reintroduced into the season seven pre-season training, which includes Patrikios.
AFL executive general manager football operations Andrew Dillon said the AFL continued to be led by respective governments, while ensuring best practice continues to be applied in preventive measures amongst the on-going pandemic.
“The health and safety of our players, staff and the wider community has been one of the guiding principles governing the AFL’s ongoing response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Dillon said.
“Our AFL industry has continued to adapt to the circumstances in front of us, and while we have removed the mandatory vaccine mandate, we still maintain the view that vaccinations are the best form of defense in minimizing the impacts of COVID with the focus now on keeping “up to date” with all recommended boosters.
“We will continue to monitor the COVID situation as it evolves. If we need to adjust over the coming weeks and months, we will do so in consultation with the respective Governments and medical professionals.
“As an industry we are committed to providing a safe environment for all our people and doing what we can to reduce the risk and impact of transmission of COVID-19 within the community.”
