PAIR’S COVID STANCE HITS HARD

AFL stars Jack Darling and Cam Ellis-Yolmen have left their clubs reeling on the eve of the 2022 season by refusing to have Covid19 vaccinations.

The Lions placed Ellis-Yolmen on their inactive list on Friday afternoon after he failed to meet the league’s January 21 deadline for players in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

The 29-year-old asked the AFL for an exemption but was knocked back and is now ineligible to train, play or access the club.

In a club statement, the Lions said they respected Ellis-Yolmen’s right to personal choice but were committed to the AFL’s protocols to “safeguard the competition and protect the health and wellbeing of its players”.

The Lions’ setback followed a shock West Coast announcement earlier on Friday that gun Darling was assessing his future away from the West Australian club after not adhering to the AFL’s Covid vaccine policy.

Players at West Australian clubs had to have their first dose by Friday at 4pm, but the Eagles announced Darling would not meet the deadline. The 29-yearold will now not be able to train, play or access the club.

“While Jack will take some time to assess his future he will train independently of the remainder of the squad,” the Eagles said in a statement.

COLLINGWOOD further established themselves as AFLW premiership fancies after holding off Geelong by 11 points in one of the best games of the season.

The Magpies eventually prevailed, 5.5 (35) to 3.6 (24).

In a game dominated by fierce pressure and stoppages, the Cats threw everything they had at the Pies to nearly snatch a memorable win over their highly fancied opponents.

But the class of Collingwood shone through when it mattered most, as the returning Chloe Molloy kicked two goals, Jaimee Lambert and Mikala Cann stood firm in the middle, and Ruby Schleicher gave the Pies bounce off halfback.