Unvaxxed players welcome back

TASMANIA’S vaccine hesitant former Blue Liam Jones could be back on an AFL list for next season after the league lifted its vaccine mandate for players and club staff.

The AFL on Thursday opened the door for unvaccinated players, including St Kilda AFL Women’s young gun Georgia Patrikios, to return to training immediately, shifting its firm vaccine ruling to “strongly encouraging” all AFL and AFLW players and industry figures to have an upto-date vaccination.

Patrikios, 21, was sidelined from the January AFLW season after her decision not to be vaccinated against Covid, but kept her place on the Saints’ list as an inactive player – meaning she can rejoin her teammates immediately ahead of the August AFLW season.

The unvaccinated Jones retired last November in the wake of the mandate and has been playing for Palm Beach Currumbin in the QAFL.

He met with Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro in Queensland last week with an eye to returning to top level.

Essendon scout Mark Harvey watched Jones play last week and spoke to Palm Beach Currumbin coaching staff prior to the match against Broadbeach.

News Corp understands Jones’ partner has recently started a business on the Gold Coast, which could factor into the defender’s decision to leave Queensland for another AFL lifeline.

He intends to play out the remainder of the QAFL season and will not put himself on ice.

A number of clubs are expected to be interested in the 31-year-old.

The Gold Coast Suns recently downplayed interest in Jones, though earlier this year Levi Casboult was vocal in wanting to reunite with his former Blues teammate.

Current AFL rules state that if a player retires they cannot play for another club within 18 months.

But if Carlton receives compensation, the rule can be waived, clearing the path for Jones to join a rival club in the national draft.