Inactive AFLW defender Deni Varnhagen has expressed pride in ex-Blue Liam Jones following his decision to retire rather than receive either form of Covid vaccination.
Varnhagen, 29, has been vocal in her stance against the vaccine, with the Crow taking to the streets of Adelaide to protest the legitimacy of mandatory jab mandates.
The registered nurse was placed on the Crows' inactive list in early November and currently remains ineligible to take part in the AFLW season that is set to commence in January of next year.
Speaking to The Herald Sun, the dual premiership player claimed that she supported the ex-Blue in his decision to step away from the game due to his convictions.
Varnhagen also suggested that she and Jones would not be the only players across either competition to follow them in opting out.
“I want to congratulate Liam on his AFL career and wish him all the best in his retirement. I’m very proud to see him staying true to himself and want him to know he’s definitely not alone, more people are about to step up,” Varnhagen said.
As it currently stands, the pair remain the only two to have stepped away from their commitments due to their inoculation status and stance.
Jones himself is still yet to comment publically on his decision to depart Princes Park while still under contract.
The 30-year-old is said to have left in the vicinity of $500,000 on the table following the agreement between he and the Blues to terminate the remainder of his deal
Given that the salary cap for the women's competition is set at $10,098,097 per club and requires staggered spreading throughout the 30-woman squad, there remains no possibility that Varnhagen will have forsaken even a tenth of this figure.
According to the AFLW CBA, two players at each club have the ability to earn as much as $37,155 per season, with the remaining 28 pocketing between $28,697 and $20,239 each campaign.