AFL Players Association Chief Executive Paul Marsh is happy with the AFL’s new vaccination policy, applauding his members who speak their minds on the issue.
The league announced the new policy on Thursday afternoon, which states all AFL and AFLW players and club staff must be vaccinated before their respective seasons start.
Vaccination has been a big issue in recent days for the game, with AFLW premiership player Deni Varnhagen informing the Adelaide Crows she would not be getting vaccinated.
Melbourne forward Tom McDonald also said earlier in the week he does not believe the vaccine should be mandated for different industries.
Despite the controversy, Marsh is confident nearly all players will get the jab and is satisfied by negotiations with the AFL.
“I don’t think I’d be staging this too high to say that we’re looking at probably 99% plus players that will be vaccinated, so practically this is not a huge issue for the collective," he told Sportsday.
"But for the individuals that are working through these issues at the moment, clearly it is a big issue and we’ve had to negotiate that with the AFL.
“I think we’ve landed in a fair position for all sides, but the players still have an opportunity to work through their own individual circumstances, which we continue to discuss with them.”
However, Marsh did lament the “burden” that players are put under by needing to publicly lead the way with vaccines.
“That’s probably a burden that all high profile people do carry, and I think our guys and girls do really well,” he said.
“There are times where they can be a bit of a lightning rod, but we’ve got to accept that and move on.
“We’re well ahead of what we’re seeing in the community at the moment, so I’m really proud of what our members have done on this particular topic.”
While Marsh acknowledged the vast majority of his members support vaccination, he also praised those who speak out against it.
McDonald’s words on vaccination made headlines earlier in the week, however the players association boss believes the star Demon’s actions were “really healthy.”
“Like any issue, AFL players are just a subset of the community, so if you go to a dinner party … you’ll probably get 10 people sitting around a table and two or three will have that view,” Marsh said.
“Our players are no different in that sense and I think it’s really healthy that we have players that are willing to speak up and have the courage to speak up on issues.
“That will be front-page news, but I think it’s a really healthy thing that players are prepared to speak up on issues.”
Players who do not get vaccinated will not be allowed to perform on the field and will only earn 25% of their salary.