AFLW star Deni Varnhagen will spend another season on the Adelaide Crows’ “inactive” roster, this time due to pregnancy.
Key points:
- Varnhagen spent the most recent season on the sidelines after failing to comply with the league’s vaccination policy
- She is now expecting a baby with her partner Jarrad
- The 29-year-old remains optimistic about returning to the game
The top-tier double player spent the most recent season on the sidelines after failing to comply with the league’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.
Crows women’s soccer boss Phil Harper said the club was “excited about Deni” and his partner Jarrad.
“Obviously it’s a very exciting time for them,” he said.
“Deni was a member of our inaugural squad, a top – ranked player on two occasions and has contributed greatly to our journey in women’s football.
“We look forward to seeing her enter this new stage in her life.”
Harper said the 29-year-old remained optimistic about returning to the game.
“He hopes circumstances will allow him to one day play at the elite level again and Deni is still part of the Crows family.”
The AFLW season begins again in late August.
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The test of the mandate of the vaccine in limbo
Varnhagen is also a nurse, another job she lost due to vaccine warrants imposed on health care workers under the SA Emergency Management Act.
She was among the four workers who took legal action in the South Australian Supreme Court in an effort to overturn the warrant.
Nurse and Crows AFLW player Deni Varnhagen has openly spoken out against her opposition to compulsory vaccination. (ABC News)
The case is in limbo after the state’s declaration of emergency officially ended last month, terminating the powers of the police commissioner to impose vaccine warrants.
Despite this, Varnhagen is still unable to return to her nursing role on a permanent basis, with vaccine requirements for people in high-risk settings now set out in the state’s public health law.
Varnhagen revealed on Instagram that he returned to work last week with a medical exemption.
“I have had the privilege of working with these beautiful nurses for seven months,” she wrote.
“I am very grateful to be back, but only for a short time (medical exemption).
“Honestly, I can’t thank them enough for being by my side during these times.”
His case will return to the Supreme Court later this month.
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