West Coast Eagles forward Jack Darling has been barred from training with the club, having failed to meet the AFL’s requirement that all players be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The league’s cut-off to receive at least one vaccine dose passed on Friday, meaning Darling, one of the league’s few players yet to meet the mandate, is on the outer.
The Eagles have released a statement confirming the 29-year old, who was their leading goalkicker in 2021, had ‘not adhered to the AFL’s COVID-19 training and playing mandates’.
“While Jack will take some time to assess his future he will train independently of the remainder of the squad,” the statement reads.
“The club will continue to support Jack as he contemplates his options and is optimistic that he will return to build on his outstanding career to date.
“While the club does respect the right to personal choice it also supports the protocols put in place by the AFL and Governments – both Federal and State – as they navigate their way through this persistent and challenging pandemic.
“Neither the club nor Jack will make any further comment on the matter.”
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
The Eagles 2018 premiership star is the most high-profile player affected by the AFL’s requirements since Carlton’s Liam Jones announced his shock retirement late in 2021.
Since making his debut in 2011, Darling has played 236 games for the Eagles, with his 450 goals the third-most in club history behind teammate Josh Kennedy (675) and Peter Sumich (514).
The news comes as a major blow to the Eagles’ chances of returning to finals action in 2022, with Darling having kicked at least 40 goals in every season since 2015 bar the COVID-shortened 2020.
Windrince
Roar Rookie
Not a happy hunting ground for anyone but the cats at kardinia really but I understand what you're saying
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Cam Ellis Yoleman at the Lions has also been moved to the clubs inactive list due to him not getting the jab
Dale Hughes
Guest
Booooooo
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Lay off the Pete Evans chump. You’ll thank me later.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Hope you don’t have kids
.kraM
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Kook :laughing:
.kraM
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Look what up? What do you mean? If it's "not that hard", explain it. Surely speaking plainly in the first place is better. If you want to make a point, no one should have to "look up" what you mean. Maybe you are not on the right thread or even the right article.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
I thought it would have Elliott Yeo. Still makes me laugh when he told off the tall for running to the proper position for them and making him stand the mark
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Kyrie Irving. Also a flat earther like some of his No Brain League peers? Make a great Venn diagram
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
When I see those glow in the dark I think "Lights on nobody home"
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
The rollout was expedited because there was and is a pandemic. Plus you can have your immune system compromised, but you can't actually lose it.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Myocarditis is much more of a risk through COVID than the vaccine: "COVID-19 itself is associated with a substantially higher risk of myocarditis and other cardiac complications compared with vaccination. COVID-19 is estimated to cause myocarditis at a rate of 11.0 events per 100,000 persons (risk ratio 18.28; 95% CI, 3.95 - 25.12), whilst Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine has been estimated to cause myocarditis at an overall rate of 2.7 events per 100,000 persons (risk ratio 3.24; 95% CI 1.55 to 12.44)." chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/viewer.html?pdfurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.gov.au%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocuments%2F2021%2F11%2Fcovid-19-vaccination-guidance-on-myocarditis-and-pericarditis-after-mrna-covid-19-vaccines_1.pdf&clen=1300457&chunk=true
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I can’t take credit for it. It’s a Jim Jeffries line from his spiel about gun control haha
JamesH
Roar Guru
On the contrary, jab them all.
Slim Pickens
Guest
Good for you , and when they end up with myocarditis, you take responsibility for your part in that atrocity.
Slim Pickens
Guest
And get a nice little dose of heart disease as an unexpected bonus . The TGA even lists it as an adverse reaction.
Slim Pickens
Guest
Look it up Don ,,, Pfizzzzzer and 2.3 billion dollar fine . It's not hard .
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What fine is that?