Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko warns Liam Jones won’t be last to retire from AFL because of COVID-19 vaccination

Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
Camera IconBrisbane captain Dayne Zorko believes Carlton defender Liam Jones won’t be the last player to walk away because of the vaccination policy. Credit: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via AFL Photos

Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko has warned that former Carlton defender Liam Jones won’t be the last player to retire rather than receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Jones sent shock waves through the Australian sporting landscape on Sunday when he announced he would retire, becoming the first AFL player to leave the game because of the competition’s vaccination policy.

Players face having their AFL contracts terminated should they not get vaccinated, with Jones understood to have forgone about $1 million in future.

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Former Carlton forward Levi Casboult’s career is also in limbo as he is understood to be awaiting to get the novavax vaccine, which is not yet available in Australia.

It could Casboult a chance to be re-drafted, with Gold Coast understood to be interested in the 31-year-old in next weekend’s rookie draft.

7News Perth’s Ryan Daniels has reported that the West Coast expect their entire list to be vaccinated despite reports up to three players were yet to get their first jab.

Daniels reports that all Fremantle players have received their first dose, with most being double-vaccinated.

WA players must have their first vaccination by January 21, with their second to be administered by February 18.

Zorko said while Jones’ decision came as a shock, he wouldn’t be surprised if more followed his lead.

“It was certainly a surprise to me and a lot of our playing group when we saw the news, but it’s something that he and his family feel very strongly about and I guess it’s over to the Carlton Football Club to help support him,” Zorko told SEN.

“Although he’s retired, I think there are certain structures in place about finances and stuff like that... but it was a massive shock.”

“Something tells me that he might not be the last as well.

“It’s a funny situation, he obviously has his beliefs or whatever he feels as though he doesn’t like about it.

“From what I’m hearing it’s probably non-vax stuff.”

Zorko said Jones was a big loss for the Blues..

“For the past three or four seasons he has really challenged a lot of the key forwards of the competition,” he said.

“His ability to stop forwards and really halve contests for that Carlton backline, he’s a big loss for them.”

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