SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 06: Blues players look dejected after the round 12 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the West Coast Eagles at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 06, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

2007 Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel has claimed that the AFL has left themselves "no wiggle room" in regards to the policing of unvaccinated players.

The former Cat's comments come in the wake of the news that Carlton was reportedly wrangling with the prospect of losing a senior player due to their immunisation record.

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While the identity of the Blue currently remains under wraps, Bartel stated that irrespective of their views regarding vaccination, they would need to adhere to league and government mandates should they wish to continue their career.

“The rules are pretty clear now,” the 305-gamer said on SEN's Sportsday.

“They put our their list of guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated players.

“It’s not a difficult decision for the AFL because there’s no wiggle room in it.”

As has been stated by several media outlets, the anonymous footballer now runs the risk of having their contract terminated at worst or being placed on the league's inactive list like AFLW player, Deni Varnhagen.

Should the latter option be preferred following unsuccessful mediation, Bartel explained that the unknown player would be set to see their income drop to the "minimum wage".

With mandates meaning that players across the league will eventually be locked out of locker rooms unless they can produce evidence that they have been inoculated, fellow SEN pundit Tim Watson stated that many players were likely to be aggrieved about the situation.

Still, the Essendon legend echoed Bartel's claims that it was a matter of 'no vax, no play' for each player across the league.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Tim Watson, Coach of Victoria addresses his players during the 2017 EJ Whitten Legends Game between Victoria and the All Stars at Etihad Stadium on September 1, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. The match is held to celebrate the life of the legendary Ted Whitten and raise awareness for prostate cancer. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

“That’s the only choice he has right now, he either gets vaccinated or he doesn’t play,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“Not only does he not play AFL football, there’s a lot of other restrictions that will be imposed on him as a result of that as well.

“I’m led to believe that there a lot of players that didn’t want to be vaccinated but they have become vaccinated because they understand that they can’t continue their careers unless they do."

Despite this view in opposition to receiving a set of jabs, Watson also expressed that he felt the situation would be worked out through discussion.

“I think ultimately those players will decide to get vaccinated and they’ll play," he said in finality.