A Richmond AFLW player has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Tigers confirmed a player had returned a positive result after a pre-training rapid antigen test on Saturday.
Training did not occur that day as a result and Richmond's AFLW squad is isolating and awaiting directions from Victoria's Department of Health as to the duration of their self-quarantine period.
The only previous reported incidence of an AFL or AFLW player returning a positive COVID-19 test was former Essendon player Conor McKenna in June 2020.
Meanwhile, Adelaide say they strongly urge people to be vaccinated after AFLW premiership player Deni Varnhagen reportedly informed the Crows she is not willing to receive a COVID-19 jab.
A registered nurse, who has experience working in ICU wards, Varnhagen has become the first known AFL or AFLW player to refuse the COVID-19 vaccination.
The Crows have issued a statement following multiple reports but stressed they could not confirm or deny any player's vaccination status due to medical confidentiality.
"Our club strongly encourages people to be vaccinated against COVID-19," a club statement read.
"The club remains committed to following the health advice and guidelines set by government and the AFL."
The AFL is yet to finalise a vaccination policy but the Victorian government's requirement about a range of workers, which includes footballers, needing to be vaccinated or have a booking came into effect last Friday.
Most Victorian clubs have confirmed to AAP that their AFLW programs are all compliant with the government vaccine protocols and players have been cleared to train and play.
There is no similar vaccine requirement in South Australia but the state's healthcare workers do need to have at least one jab before November 1.
Varnhagen, who played in the Crows' 2017 and 2019 premierships, posted a video on social media on Saturday showing people marching in Adelaide for "freedom of choice".
The 28-year-old then followed it up with another clip holding a sign that read "health care hero's (sic) in 2020 ... unvaxed unwanted in 2021".
Varnhagen has played 31 games for the Crows across the first five seasons of AFLW.
In September 2020, she gave an interview speaking about her job in an ICU ward during the pandemic while juggling her AFLW career.
AFLW chief executive Nicole Livingstone said the league's priority was to protect players, staff and the community and players had been given information sessions.
She also confirmed rapid antigen and PCR testing would be made available to clubs.
"We are still living through a global pandemic, and if anybody ... feels like playing a sport during a global pandemic is not for them, then I have to respect that," she told SEN.
"There's still a little more time to work through that approach for Deni.
"We'll support the players as much as we can to make an informed choice."
Crows superstar Erin Phillips, who is the AFLW's most decorated player, said she was yet to speak with Varnhagen about her stance.
"Everybody has a choice whether they want to be vaccinated or not," Phillips told Mix 102.3.
"From my point of view, it's the ramifications that are going to come with not being vaccinated.
"I'm assuming in this situation with AFL, it's probably going to come to a point where if you're not vaccinated fully, you won't be allowed to play."
The AFLW season is due to get underway on January 6.
