Carlton player named as vaccine holdout with deadline looming

Carlton defender Liam Jones has been named as the Blues player who was holding out and deciding against being vaccinated against Covid-19.

It was reported by Channel 7 on Wednesday that the Blues had one player yet to be vaccinated, with further reports on Wednesday indicating it was Jones.

'PRETTY VILE': Investigation into new Dani Laidley photo leak

'SURREAL': Bruce McAvaney's stirring tribute to fallen AFL great

The AFL has mandated all players be vaccinated before they can take part in pre-season training and games, with the deadline for Victorian players to have had their second dose set at November 26.

Jones is not due to return to pre-season training until December 6, but

An overwhelming majority of AFL and AFLW players have been fully vaccinated.

Only Adelaide Crows premiership player Deni Varnhagen stands out as another to refuse to be vaccinated, with the Crows standing her down as they continue to work through the situation.

The AFL's vaccine policy was released on October 21, giving players plenty of time to make their decision.

Carlton have declined to comment on Jones' situation.

The AFL has requested players be fully vaccinated by February 18, however Victorian players have had to do so by the November deadline under the state's rules for 'authorised workers'.

Under the guidelines introduces by the league to tackle any potential vaccination issues, clubs cannot sack a player due to their vaccination status until May next year at the earliest.

A lengthy arbitration process must take place beforehand.

The Adelaide Crows opted to put Varnhagen on their inactive list, with the 29-year-old seemingly determined to stick to her guns after appearing at several anti-vaccination protests.

Under South Australia's vaccination laws, Varnhagen also faces the prospect of losing her job as an intensive care nurse.

Hawthorn player tests positive to Covid-19 in test for AFL

Meanwhile, young Hawthorn midfielder Finn Maginness has become the first AFL player to test positive for COVID-19 in almost 18 months.

Maginness was one of two positive cases reported by clubs on Wednesday, with the Blues also confirming a fully vaccinated member of their AFLW program has coronavirus.

Close contacts of Maginness will now isolate for seven days, but all of those players and staff have already returned negative test results.

Hawthorn confirmed all players are fully vaccinated or are scheduled to have their second dose soon.

Maginness attended the club's Waverley Park facility on Monday but did not have any symptoms until waking up on Tuesday.

"I want to commend Finn for his diligence in getting a test at the first sign of symptoms, informing our club doctor and protecting his teammates and our staff," Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves said.

"As a club we are taking every precaution to ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff and the broader community is maintained.

"Appropriate wellbeing supports have been put in place to support Finn and those who are isolating as a result of this case."

Maginness has played three games for the Hawks since being taken with pick 29 in the 2019 draft.

He is the son of dual Hawthorn premiership player Scott Maginness.

The 20-year-old is the first known men's player to test positive for COVID-19 since former Essendon defender Conor McKenna in June 2020.

Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney labelled Maginness as the "poster boy" for what to do when experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

With AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.