Melbourne Demons star Tom McDonald has sparked a furious backlash by angrily opposing Victorian Premier Dan Andrews' Covid vaccine mandate.
The premiership-winning full forward - who is fully vaccinated himself - branded it 'ethically wrong' and 'unnecessary' when he spoke to the media on Tuesday.
He hit out after Adelaide Crows AFLW star - and intensive care unit nurse - Deni Varnhagen said she was refusing to get vaccinated, putting her career in jeopardy.
McDonald's comments provoked an angry online debate, with his comments coming under fire from other players, other sport stars, and commentators.
But some fans agreed with his stance against vaccine mandates, including some who were themselves immunised.
Melbourne Demons star Tom McDonald seen here with wife Ruby has sparked a furious backlash after slamming Victorian Premier Dan Andrews for making vaccine jabs mandatory
'It's not a necessity, it's been mandated on players and forced if you want to keep your job,' McDonald, 29, said in the controversial question and answer session.
'I'm vaccinated, and most players would've been, but to be honest I think it's ethically wrong to force people into a medical procedure.
'I think we would've got 90 per cent as a state anyway. I don't see why we need to cause such issues and division by forcing people in many jobs where it's probably not as necessary.
'I understand aged care and health care and those sort of things but I feel it's a bit heavy-handed at the moment.'
McDonald said he would be happy to play with teammates or against rivals who refused to get the jab.
'No issue at all, that's why you get vaccinated, you protect yourself,' he added. 'I don't understand why we need force other players to,' he said.
Premiership-winning full forward Tom McDonald, pictured here with wife Ruby, is fully vaccinated himself but branded it 'ethically wrong' and 'unnecessary'
With the next AFL season still months away, the sport has yet to announce its vaccination policy.
But athletes in other codes and sports are required to be vaccinated to compete in Victoria, where most AFL teams are based.
Former Richmond great Matthew Richardson, 46, hit back at the Demons player on Twitter.
'For someone with a close family member with a serious illness and compromised immune system, it staggers me that you wouldn't get vaccinated,' he posted.
'It's not just about you and your choice.'
Richardson's post was applauded by Western Bulldogs veteran and 2008 Brownlow Medalist Adam Cooney, 36, who added: 'This is
