Former Lion Cam Ellis-Yolmen has spoken publically about the decision to opt-out of his contract with the club due to his vaccine stance.
Following the AFL's decision to implement a league-wide vaccination mandate ahead of the 2022 season, the former Crow faced an internal battle of whether to go against his beliefs or walk away from the game with his convictions intact.
With the 29-year-old alerting the Lions to the fact that he was unwilling to comply with the blanket decree, it appears likely that Ellis-Yolmen's AFL career will be capped at 48 games.
While many within footballing circles may have been left bemused by the Taree product's decision, Ellis-Yolmen explained that the choice was one he was happy to make
Speaking exclusively with NewsCorp, the 69th pick of the 2011 AFL Draft explained that while mulling the decision had kept him up at night, it wasn't one that was eventually made with money in mind.
“It was a very tough call,” he said.
“I didn’t sleep for the two nights prior. My mind just kept ticking over and in one ear you are just like ‘take it and be fine and go against what you believe’ but you couldn’t pay me any money in the world to get it. Once you take money away from it the decision was made.
“I knew I’d be fine outside of footy. I have had a lot of support around me and that made my decision so much easier.
“I’m very happy with the decision and I still stand by it. I don’t regret it.”
Ellis-Yolmen also expressed that his belief that he didn't require a jab had been at the heart of his view.
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“The club has always known and it came down to putting my health first. I didn’t think I needed (the vaccine)," he added.
“I have never taken the flu jab. The Lions were very supportive of my decision. They didn’t try to persuade me and were always respectful about how I thought and what choice I was going to make.
“Ultimately it came down to putting my health first. Their hands were tied with the AFL in the end and there was a due date put in place for January 21 so I had to make a decision. I made the one I thought was right for me."
Although his current circumstances have arisen due to personal choice, Ellis-Yolmen did stress that he felt empathy for athletes who have also been asked to compromise on their beliefs.
“To be honest I never thought it would come down to having to make a choice between getting the vaccine and walking away, he continued.
“It is sad that a few boys and myself have had to make that type of decision, especially on our own health."
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He held the view that he wasn't an "anti-vaxxer" and explained that it wasn't his modus operandi to change the minds of anyone regarding their own inoculation stances.
“You get tagged as an anti-vaxxer but I’m not against any vaccines,” he said.
“If you think you need it and want it then go ahead. I’d never hold it against anyone. I have family members who have got it and I don’t look at them differently and they don’t look at me any differently. That is the way it should be for everyone.
“It is a medical choice. Hopefully, we get to a point where we have gone from a pandemic to an endemic and we can live with it without restrictions and mandates.”
Despite being set to take the field for QAFL outfit Labrador this winter, the imposing inside mid still held out hope that a third AFL club would be willing to take a punt on him in the future.
“I did over half of the AFL pre-season and I am fit and firing to go,” Ellis-Yolmen said.
“The hunger is still there and I want to play good footy at Labrador. I am naturally competitive, I have always been like that. I still want to be that competitive player that I was at AFL level and hopefully I can bring some of those standards to Labrador and help elevate my teammates.
“Who knows, Australia is changing so quickly. The mandates on our firefighters was lifted so there are changes being made.”
Brisbane are set to commence their season proper on March 19 when they face fellow premiership aspirants Port Adelaide at the Gabba.
For Ellis-Yolmen and Labrador, the future remains less certain, with the QAFL fixture still to be released.
