The AFL has released its Covid-19 vaccination policy, which, “in general terms”, will require all AFL and AFLW players and football program staff to be vaccinated before the start of their respective seasons.

Outlined in the policy, formed in conjunction with the AFL Players’ Association, is the requirement of all AFL players and football program staff to be fully vaccinated by February 18, 2022.

Those who, without good reason, do not comply with the policy will not be able to attend their club or any AFL premises to either train or play.

Catch all the ICC T20 World Cup action live & exclusive to Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today.

AFL executive GM of football Andrew Dillon believes a “small handful of players” are likely to be affected by their decision not to get vaccinated.

“At the moment we are collating the information but I am very sure the vast majority of players are already vaccinated or intending to be vaccinated so I think we are talking about a small handful of players and we will continue to work with those players and provide them with education and health advice,” Dillon said.

“It’s really hard to get into specifics but I think by the time we get to the end of it and there are different dates by which players need to be vaccinated, but I think ongoing education and advice I am sure it will be a small number.

“We have worked really closely with the AFLPA on the four options any player that doesn’t end up getting vaccinated there will be an individual circumstance they will be dealing with so it will be up to that club and that player to work with the AFL and the AFLPA as to what is the right outcome for that player.“

On top of this, the league has outlined four options for clubs to deal with such players:

– Transfer the Player to the inactive player list (meaning the Player can be replaced) and pay the Player 25% of (for AFLW) their contracted salary or (for AFL) the CBA minimum base salary;

– Keep the Player on their playing list (meaning the Player cannot be replaced) and pay the Player not less than 25% of (for AFLW) their contracted salary or (for AFL) 25% of the CBA minimum base salary;

– Terminate the Player’s playing contract with the agreement of the Player;

– Exercise any rights the Club may have at law to terminate the Player’s playing contract, but such rights are not to be exercised prior to 18 May 2022.

The latter essentially means players can be delisted if they are not vaccinated by 18 May 2022.

AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh said the player body has made clear, “the importance of vaccinations as part of a safe workplace and community and as a pathway out of our current lockdown cycle.”

“In saying this, our view is that vaccinations are an individual decision. It has, however became apparent in recent weeks that unvaccinated players will not be able to fulfil their contractual obligations due to various State border restrictions, and the new worker requirements in Victoria. Through our player meetings, players have been made aware that this was a possible scenario.

“Therefore, in working through this policy with the AFL, our focus was to agree positions that provide players with clarity, appropriate timelines for making personal vaccination decisions, an ability to review the policy should Government directions change, and financially support those who make the hard decisions to step away from their playing careers. The agreed policy delivers all of this.”

This month, Adelaide AFLW premiership player Demi Varnhagen reportedly told the club she was not yet willing to be vaccinated, becoming the league’s first known player to object to the jab.

Melbourne premiership forward Tom McDonald said, while he’s been vaccinated, it is “ethically wrong to force people into a medical procedure”.