Liam Jones may return to the AFL next season after the league lifted its vaccination mandate but, if he does, his former club Carlton will seek compensation.
Carlton coach Michael Voss says the club will pursue compensation for losing Liam Jones "as strongly as we possibly can" following the AFL's decision to end its COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
Key defender Jones refused to comply with the mandate and opted to retire last November, rather than move to the Blues' inactive list.
The 31-year-old has since been playing in Queensland's state league but is now tipped to attempt an AFL comeback, having met with Essendon last week.
Under league rules, players who retire and negotiate exits from their club are not allowed to join another club for at least 18 months.
Given Jones' unusual situation, the league could make an exception.
Voss on Friday confirmed reports the Blues will seek compensation from the AFL if Jones signs for a rival club, but it's unclear what form that might take.
"There's probably a lot you could speculate on," Voss said.
"The conversations we'll just continually have and see what's there for us.
"It's been quite unique and complex, I think everyone appreciates that.
"We respect Liam's position but we've also got a position as a club we need to take and we'll follow through as strongly as we possibly can to see what's available to us."
The AFL denied Carlton's request for another pick at the end of last year's draft as a way of replacing Jones on their list.
The Blues have since made list management decisions around Jones' absence, including recruiting former North Melbourne defender Sam Durdin via the mid-season draft.
Essendon coach Ben Rutten on Friday confirmed the Bombers' interest in Jones.
"It's really just part of our due diligence as a club," Rutten said.
"Moving forward we're looking at all avenues as to how we can improve our list and improve our squad.
"All that stuff will play out as the year goes on."
Jones and former Brisbane Lions midfielder Cameron Ellis-Yolmen were the only men's players to step away from the AFL rather than be vaccinated.
West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling eventually agreed to have the jab on the eve of the season after being unable to train with the Eagles for the majority of the pre-season.
AFLW All-Australian Georgia Patrikios also refused to be vaccinated and took time away from St Kilda, missing the first season of 2022.
The two-time Saints best-and-fairest winner has returned to the club since the mandate was lifted, ahead of the new season starting in August.
"I'm incredibly thankful for the loyalty the club has shown me over the past 18 months," Patrikios said.
"All I want to do now is train hard alongside my teammates and run out there with the girls next season."
