St Kilda have re-signed Georgia Patrikios for a further two AFLW seasons but the star midfielder's return hinges on changes being made to the AFL vaccination mandate.
Patrikios, an All-Australian and two-time Saints best-and-fairest winner, sat out last season after deciding not to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The 21-year-old has now committed to St Kilda for seasons seven and eight, as have fellow best-and-fairest winners Bianca Jakobsson, Rosie Dillon, Olivia Vesely and Caitlin Greiser.
But Patrikios will not be able to play for the Saints under current rules and the AFL has given no indication it will lift the vaccination mandate.
"Her availability and contract terms are contingent upon changes to current AFL mandates," St Kilda said in a statement.
"This situation will be closely monitored as the situation progresses."
Earlier this year, St Kilda captain Hannah Priest said the player group supported Patrikios in her decision not to be vaccinated.
"Ultimately Georgia is a St Kilda player and whether she trains or plays is her decision," Priest said in January.
"We as a club are sticking by the AFL's protocols, which is going to protect us and the community.
"As much as we can, we're supporting Georgia and we're really proud of what she's done for our club and how she's contributed.
"She's an exceptional player. We're supporting her and, again, it's her decision."
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide's boom recruit Erin Phillips has had an arthroscopy on her left knee.
The procedure was a routine clean-up of a lateral meniscus injury that was troubling the 37-year-old during the last AFLW season, when she was part of Adelaide's premiership team.
The Power said a time frame on Phillips' return to training will become clearer in the coming weeks.
