North Melbourne’s Jed Anderson is poised to return to Arden Street from Darwin.
It would end a long absence for the vaccine-hesitant midfielder.
The Kangaroos have always been hopeful rather than confident that Anderson will end his summer hiatus. The player though has indicated that he's prepared to play on.
He hasn’t returned from the off-season break following an adverse reaction to his first vaccine injection.
The AFL’s vaccination policy stated that Victorian based players must have been double vaccinated by November 26 to return to their clubs for pre-season training.
Anderson has stayed up in Darwin as a result. Barring a change in mindset, the Roos would be set to welcome the 28-year-old back into the fold in the very near future.
Anderson has remained in close contact with new general manager of football performance, Daniel McPherson, and general manager of football talent in Brady Rawlings.
Sources have said the availability of Novavax has paved the way for the now highly-likely return to the game for the former Hawk.
While very supportive of the player and his welfare, the Kangaroos had set Anderson a deadline of February 21, this coming Monday, to make a call on his future.
That date, February 21, also coincided with the expected availability of Novavax in Australia.
The Kangaroos understandably want clarity on their own list position before the pre-season supplemental selection period deadline comes around.
At things stand, Anderson and West Coast’s Jack Darling are the only current AFL players yet to be fully vaccinated.
Carlton’s Liam Jones and Brisbane’s Cam Ellis-Yolmen have both stepped away from the game in recent times.
It is all looking very positive for Anderson and the Roos that the player will be back soon once he is fully vaccinated, which is the expectation.
JED Anderson is poised to return to Arden Street from Darwin. North have been hopeful rather than confident, but Anderson's indicated he's prepared to play on. Sources said Novavax has paved the way for the now highly-likely return. North had set this Monday as the deadline.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) February 17, 2022