No vaccination no play in Victoria for Canberra athletes

The Victorian government's mandatory vaccination policy comes into effect on Friday, with all professional athletes required to have their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine by then to be able to train or play in the state. November 26 is the deadline to be double-dosed.

At this stage there's no end date on that health order, meaning it could affect all of Canberra's teams - the Raiders, ACT Brumbies, Canberra United, the Cavalry, the Capitals and the ACT Meteors.

While Canberrans have a record high vaccination rate, there could be some athletes who don't get vaccinated.

But they'll be unable to compete or train in Victoria - until the state's chief health officer Brett Sutton rescinds the health order.

"Anyone working in Victoria on the authorised worker list, which includes professional sports teams, will need to be vaccinated," a Victorian Department of Health spokesperson told The Canberra Times.

"This includes people travelling from interstate to play professional sport in Victoria.

"We encourage the professional sports sector to support their players and staff to get fully vaccinated - the earlier people get vaccinated, the earlier we can open up."

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Raiders star Josh Papalii has said he would not get the jab, with both he and teammate Joe Tapine receiving medical exemptions from getting the influenza injection last year.

A similar medical exemption process will be in place for the COVID-19 shot, with exemptions to be lodged with the Australian Immunisation Register.

The NRL is working with the various state governments on any vaccination requirements for training, but was not looking too far ahead given its draw had not been released yet.

But the Raiders could face an away game against the Storm in Melbourne next season.

Similarly, the Brumbies' draw is not out yet, but they could play the Rebels in Melbourne.

It is believed the Brumbies are fully vaccinated, with a lot of their players getting jabbed while in Wallabies camp.

It's also believed one Cavalry player has told the ABL club he will not be getting the vaccine, meaning he won't be allowed to play in Melbourne against the Aces - with the competition hopefully set to hit-off mid-December.

The Meteors were scheduled to play Victoria in Melbourne on December 16, but the start of their WNCL season has been pushed back.

Canberra United only know the opening four rounds of its A-League Women's campaign, but could face trips to Victoria to play City and Victory after that.

There are three Victorian WNBL clubs the Capitals would need to play in Melbourne when their draw is released.

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