Bulldogs tell players, staff to be double vaxxed before returning

Canterbury could become the first NRL club to properly mandate COVID-19 vaccinations, according to Nine journalist Danny Weidler.

The NRL has not yet made it compulsory for everyone inside the game and club bubbles to be double vaccinated, but it's an issue that is sure to take centre stage over the coming months leading into the new year and next season.

It comes as Australian states and the federal government begin offering incentives to people who are fully vaccinated against the virus.

NRL clubs currently have no hard-and-fast rules around employees being vaccinated but Weidler told Nine's 6pm news bulletin the Bulldogs are all but making it compulsory.

"The NRL is saying they're not going to mandate vaccinations but obviously they are encouraging it," Weidler said.

"So far the Eels and the Sharks are about 80 per cent (of players) with one jab, so they are leading the way in the NRL.

"A carefully-worded email has been distributed by the Bulldogs to all of their players, and it says it is anticipated they be vaxxed by the time they come back on November 1.

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"They want to hear from their players and staff if any of them can't meet that obligation, they want to hear about it now."

On Nine's Sunday Footy Show, it was speculated by a panel of journalists many NRL players will refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine.