Hocking backs vax rule

GEELONG has backed the AFL’s hard-line vaccination mandate as clubs work with a handful of reluctant players who could be sacked if they don’t have a Covid-19 jab.

New Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking said on Friday he did not foresee any issues among the Cats playing group or staff.

Hocking expected clubs would quickly fall into line behind the policy, which gives clubs four options, including putting players on an inactive list or eventually sacking them if they refuse to be fully vaccinated.

Adelaide’s Deni Varnhagen is one player who has so far resisted having the jab and is expected to meet AFL-appointed medical experts in coming days.

St Kilda’s two-time bestand-fairest winner Georgia Patrikios took a leave of absence on the day the vaccine mandates were released.

When asked for a comment, St Kilda said on Friday it encouraged vaccinations but would not breach confidentiality about the status of its players.

St Kilda is the only AFLW club not to confirm their players’ vaccination status, with Victorian players now unable to train under state government and AFL rules if they have not had their first vaccination shot.

Hocking said the vaccination mandate was a strong sign of the AFL’s determination to help create a safe workplace.

AFL football general manager Andrew Dillon said he expected only a handful of players would refuse to be vaccinated by the time clubs had to decide whether to stand them down, sack them or pay them a portion of their wage while retaining them on their list.