Casboult waits for Novavax, casting doubt on AFL rookie draft prospects

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Carlton’s Liam Jones did his own research into the COVID-19 vaccine before making the surprising decision to retire from AFL football rather than accept the vaccine.

Separately, The Age has learned that ex-Carlton forward and expected Gold Coast recruit Levi Casboult is awaiting the arrival of the Novavax vaccine in Australia from the United States before having the jab.

There is a now question mark over whether Casboult will be drafted by the Suns, given he either has to get vaccinated by the rookie draft, or show intent to do so after the rookie draft.

Sources familiar with the Jones situation said the key defender had been given significant information on vaccination by the Blues and was offered the opportunity to go on the inactive list, rather than retire outright.

A source described Jones’ decision to quit as “100 per cent his call.” Jones is doing tertiary studies, but besides that, it is unclear what he plans to do after walking away from a contract that would pay him between $400,000 and $500,000, depending on performance bonuses.

Carlton had offered Jones the chance to go on the inactive list, which would keep him on the playing list in 2022, while allowing the club to replace him during his period out. This option has been taken up by Adelaide’s AFLW premiership player Deni Varnhagen, who has also declined the vaccine.

Jones did not seek any medical exemption for declining the vaccine. Sources said he had strong conviction in his opposition to the vaccine and would not be dissuaded. He is the only AFL men’s player to refuse the vaccine outright, as yet, although there has been a small number of hesitant players.

While the vast majority of AFL and AFLW players have been given the Pfizer vaccine, in line with government recommendations on the relevant age brackets, Jones had the option of taking either AstraZeneca or Moderna, but his opposition, clearly, was to any type of vaccine against COIVID-19.

His ex-teammate Casboult will have to wait until the Novavax vaccine is available, which is reportedly expected later this year. It has not yet been approved by the TGA.

Unlike Pfizer and Moderna, which are mRNA vaccines, and AstraZeneca – a viral vector vaccine – the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein vaccine.

Casboult, who was delisted by the Blues after 11 years at the club, is likely to join Gold Coast in the rookie draft to bolster their big-man stocks.

Jones, as with all AFL and AFLW players, was briefed on the vaccines as part of the AFL’s education on COVID-19 during the 2021 season, before there had been a rollout for the competition.

The loss of Jones creates an apparent opportunity for Mitch McGovern to take up a spot as a tall defender, with ex-Bulldog Lewis Young also capable of filling that position supporting Jacob Weitering in defence. McGovern has struggled for consistency in his previous three years at the Blues since crossing over from Adelaide on a substantial contract.

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