AFLW Crows player Deni Varnhagen says she is "overjoyed" the code has lifted its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and plans to return to the sport.
Ms Varnhagen was placed on the Adelaide Crows inactive list due to being unvaccinated when the AFL imposed the mandate last year.
She said while she was now pregnant, the change had motivated her to play again after giving birth.
"If I wasn't pregnant, I'd be back at training tonight," she said.
"I'm due in October, which gives me plenty of time to get my body right to return next season, so I'm more determined than ever.
"Having the mandate drop today really gives me a lot of motivation that I will be able to take the field again, which will be really exciting."
The move brings the AFL into line with government requirements that legislate only specific industries need employees to be fully vaccinated.
The league released a statement, which read: "Those players who were not fully vaccinated and ineligible to play and departed their clubs as a result may now seek to re-enter the AFL or AFLW system."
Ms Varnhagen said she understood it had been a balancing act for the code.
"I know the AFL has done the best they can to follow government advice and whatnot throughout the pandemic," she said.
"With the SANFL over here in Adelaide, dropping their mandates a month or so ago, it's really nice to see the AFL have sort of followed suit."
Legal challenge in limbo
Ms Varnhagen is also a nurse, and has led a legal challenge to South Australia's health worker vaccine mandate.
A judge is currently deliberating as to whether the SA Court of Appeal will hear the matter.
That is because the state's COVID Emergency Declaration has lifted since the case was lodged and so the mandate is managed under different laws.
Ms Varnhagen said she remained determined to continue the action.
"The next thing is to get the nurses mandate lifted … not just for nurses, but for anyone that works in hospitals," she said.
