Mega Thread COVID-19 Carlton & the AFL - NO POLITICS/NO RELIGION/NO CONSPIRACIES ETC

[The Defender]

Sounds like Feds begged Vic gov to grant exemption and are now claiming to be the heroes that stopped him from entering... Classic ScoMo.

Way off the mark, feds emailed Craig Tilley numerous times and told him having got covid previously which was going to be Novax exemption reason was NOT a valid reason.

So Tennis Australia and Dan’s independent appointed panel decided to ignore that advice and grant a exemption.

Rolled the dice and thought feds wouldn’t step in.

 

[bigblueboy]

Way off the mark, feds emailed Craig Tilley numerous times and told him having got covid previously which was going to be Novax exemption reason was NOT a valid reason.

So Tennis Australia and Dan’s independent appointed panel decided to ignore that advice and grant a exemption.

Rolled the dice and thought feds wouldn’t step in.

Except the Feds’ own official body for health advice (ATAGI) lists PCR-confirmed COVID as a valid reason to be exempt from vaccination: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/def...-medical-exemptions-for-covid-19-vaccines.pdf

It sounds like Djokovic couldn’t produce evidence on arrival to meet the guidelines - but suggesting this is a TA or Vic govt issue is simply not right, they were following federal ATAGI advice and its not their job to control borders, so cannot compel anyone to provide the kind of evidence required by border control.

 

[mickelboy182]

Way off the mark, feds emailed Craig Tilley numerous times and told him having got covid previously which was going to be Novax exemption reason was NOT a valid reason.

So Tennis Australia and Dan’s independent appointed panel decided to ignore that advice and grant a exemption.

Rolled the dice and thought feds wouldn’t step in.

Considering the feds would have had to have approved the visa initially, that doesn't quite work out does it...

 

[sweetchoif]

Except the Feds’ own official body for health advice (ATAGI) lists PCR-confirmed COVID as a valid reason to be exempt from vaccination: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/def...-medical-exemptions-for-covid-19-vaccines.pdf

It sounds like Djokovic couldn’t produce evidence on arrival to meet the guidelines - but suggesting this is a TA or Vic govt issue is simply not right, they were following federal ATAGI advice and its not their job to control borders, so cannot compel anyone to provide the kind of evidence required by border control.

Yes, but it says it needs to be proven by a PCR test. And from what i understand, that was the whole issue at the border - Joker didnt have the necessary evidence / paperwork to prove he was eligible for an exemption (e.g. evidence of PCR test). If we just rocked up with a 'note from his doctor' saying 'yep, ive had covid', that hardly meets the evidence requirements

 

[DangerousD]

I can understand that. Local footy isn't a multi-million dollar sport, with multi-million dollar TV rights deals, where one unvaxxed player could derail the season if they get infected and wipe out half a team.

Conversely, my 12yo son couldn't play basketball this past season because he wasn't double vaxxed at the time. Was probably a pivotal season in his development as a 5'11" 12yo who was asked to play under 16s.

I find this a bit strange, I’m pretty sure my brother who coaches in the SFNL had to be double vaxed to keep his job, but I just did a quick google and it seems players don’t.

Hopefully Liam has a good year and who knows, might be able to get another shot next year.

 

[mickelboy182]

I find this a bit strange, I’m pretty sure my brother who coaches in the SFNL had to be double vaxed to keep his job, but I just did a quick google and it seems players don’t.

Hopefully Liam has a good year and who knows, might be able to get another shot next year.

Seems unlikely as that's the whole problem to begin with...

 

[RedFury]

Yes, but it says it needs to be proven by a PCR test. And from what i understand, that was the whole issue at the border - Joker didnt have the necessary evidence / paperwork to prove he was eligible for an exemption (e.g. evidence of PCR test). If we just rocked up with a 'note from his doctor' saying 'yep, ive had covid', that hardly meets the evidence requirements

Where did you hear this was the issue?

From my understanding, the federal laws to enter Australia need to satisfy the ATAGI definition of "fully vaccinated" which does not include having covid in the previous 6 months as a valid reason. This is different to the rules outlined in the link from the post you quoted, which refers to AIR (Australian Immunisation Register) exemptions which are for domestic exemptions (e.g entering Victoria or playing in the Australian open.)

Part of the confusion seems to be that the exemptions granted by the two independent medical panels were for entering Victoria and participating in the Australian open whist unvaccinated. They were not for entering the borders of Australia, which follow the ATAGI definition of "fully vaccinated". This was made pretty clear to Tennis Australia in the federal documents sent to them in November which appeared all over news sites and Twitter yesterday.

 

[Keyza]

I'm tryna avoid everyone and everything til my booster on the 17th

Booked in for mine on the same day.

 

[AceAndy]

Booked in for mine on the same day.

My plan to use the Mass Vaccination Centre walk-up at the AIS has been thwarted as apparently they are no longer doing walk-up (no appointment) vaccinations Nothing available in Canberra online in January so i have booked in for Feb 7 at my local pharmacy. Mrs AA mentioned there is apparently 20,000 in Canberra trying to get boosters/vacinations.

 

[bigblueboy]

Where did you hear this was the issue?

From my understanding, the federal laws to enter Australia need to satisfy the ATAGI definition of "fully vaccinated" which does not include having covid in the previous 6 months as a valid reason. This is different to the rules outlined in the link from the post you quoted, which refers to AIR (Australian Immunisation Register) exemptions which are for domestic exemptions (e.g entering Victoria or playing in the Australian open.)

Part of the confusion seems to be that the exemptions granted by the two independent medical panels were for entering Victoria and participating in the Australian open whist unvaccinated. They were not for entering the borders of Australia, which follow the ATAGI definition of "fully vaccinated". This was made pretty clear to Tennis Australia in the federal documents sent to them in November which appeared all over news sites and Twitter yesterday.

That was from my post. Can you show me the alternative ATAGI advice?

 

[The Defender]

Liam Jones

19

Liam Jones

Age

33

Ht

199cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.4

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

134.5

2star

D

7.6

2star

K

6.1

3star

HB

1.4

1star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

116.3

2star

D

9.4

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

playing QAFL this season

 

[AceAndy]

Liam Jones playing QAFL this season

I thought i read he was playing in a Melbourne suburban league.

 

[RedFury]

That was from my post. Can you show me the alternative ATAGI advice?

Here's part of the document sent by the federal government to Tennis Australia (this info can be found online on Aus government websites too)



And here is a link to the ATAGI definition of "fully vaccinated":

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-advice-on-the-definition-of-fully-vaccinated

Note in particular this part:


Regarding exemptions, the document from ATAGI that you linked seems only applicable to domestic use (for participation in activities that would otherwise require vaccination, such as a tennis tournament.) Hence these processes were used by TA to allow Novak to participate unvaccinated in the Australian Open - but that doesn't extend to international border security (i.e. him actually getting into the country.)

The only possible medical exemptions I could find that may cover international travellers that aren't fully vaccinated would be this:

Immunisation medical exemptions for health professionals - Australian Immunisation Register for health professionals - Services Australia

Only certain doctors can provide immunisation medical exemptions.

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

But I'm certainly not 100% that would apply here either.

 

[bigblueboy]

Here's part of the document sent by the federal government to Tennis Australia (this info can be found online on Aus government websites too)

View attachment 1307311

And here is a link to the ATAGI definition of "fully vaccinated":

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-advice-on-the-definition-of-fully-vaccinated

Note in particular this part:
View attachment 1307312

Regarding exemptions, the document from ATAGI that you linked seems only applicable to domestic use (for participation in activities that would otherwise require vaccination, such as a tennis tournament.) Hence these processes were used by TA to allow Novak to participate unvaccinated in the Australian Open - but that doesn't extend to international border security (i.e. him actually getting into the country.)

The only possible medical exemptions I could find that may cover international travellers that aren't fully vaccinated would be this:

Immunisation medical exemptions for health professionals - Australian Immunisation Register for health professionals - Services Australia

Only certain doctors can provide immunisation medical exemptions.

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

But I'm certainly not 100% that would apply here either.

Seems like ATAGI is having a bet each way - allowing previous infection to provide exemption in some cases but not in others.

Obviously someone at Border Force thought previous infection was relevant … they’ve already let two other tennis players in who have exemptions for the same reason.

I’m no fan of Djokovic - he could have easily avoided all this - but the federal govt have politicised this as a distraction to their total failures in response to latest COVID wave.

 

[RedFury]

Seems like ATAGI is having a bet each way - allowing previous infection to provide exemption in some cases but not in others.

Obviously someone at Border Force thought previous infection was relevant … they’ve already let two other tennis players in who have exemptions for the same reason.

I’m no fan of Djokovic - he could have easily avoided all this - but the federal govt have politicised this as a distraction to their total failures in response to latest COVID wave.

Don't disagree with any of that. It's a huge mess and nobody involved is completely blame free.

 

[AlecDuncan]

The all-inpenetrable Border Force seems to have let a few mice out from under the rug.

Somehow I think the paper-work stickling only applied to a specific high-profile entry.

Much revisionism ongoing.

 

[myblueroan]

Here's part of the document sent by the federal government to Tennis Australia (this info can be found online on Aus government websites too)

View attachment 1307311

And here is a link to the ATAGI definition of "fully vaccinated":

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-advice-on-the-definition-of-fully-vaccinated

Note in particular this part:
View attachment 1307312

Regarding exemptions, the document from ATAGI that you linked seems only applicable to domestic use (for participation in activities that would otherwise require vaccination, such as a tennis tournament.) Hence these processes were used by TA to allow Novak to participate unvaccinated in the Australian Open - but that doesn't extend to international border security (i.e. him actually getting into the country.)

The only possible medical exemptions I could find that may cover international travellers that aren't fully vaccinated would be this:

Immunisation medical exemptions for health professionals - Australian Immunisation Register for health professionals - Services Australia

Only certain doctors can provide immunisation medical exemptions.

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

But I'm certainly not 100% that would apply here either.

It doesn't. But TA sent out a circular stating it does. Novak't team needed to check with govt. Not TA. As if you wouldn't!

 

[BigBreakfast]

Australia has gone from COVID control to chaos. So what now? Two paths lie before us

OPINION: The public has been left to their own devices as all our previous safeguards collapse around us. We urgently need a “vaccines-plus” strategy to flatten the curve.

www.sbs.com.au

Worth a read

Thanks. Appreciate the share.

 

[mickelboy182]

Honestly can't believe Tiley hasn't fallen on his sword already. Weasel.

 

[Aphrodite]

 

[Accidental genius]

Looks like another challenging year for afl this year. Omicron is spreading like wildfire. It seems it’s not that nasty but you still have to isolate so it is likely we will be forced to use many of our listed players through the season.

 

[Aphrodite]

 

[Arr0w]

Something has to change.

With these numbers continuing to increase, I would be surprised if the AFL will continue normally this year

I sense an amendment coming with restrictions, before the start of the season, as there can only be so many delays and or rescheduling of games to allow a full season of 22 rounds

 

[AceAndy]

Honestly can't believe Tiley hasn't fallen on his sword already. Weasel.

Who ?

 

[mickelboy182]

Who ?

The AO boss. Seems like he has tried to misinform players and hoped border force would just let them in.