West Coast’s Jack Darling stares down ‘extreme’ $3m roadblock as COVID vaccine hope ‘disintegrates’

Jack Darling could be on his way to being sacked by West Coast and deregistered from the AFL within the next 36 hours as the premiership forward’s COVID-19 vaccine saga continues to evolve.

The 29-year-old, who has been training away from the Eagles, missed a league deadline to receive his first dose, with hope that he was beginning to change his mind almost evaporated.

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Attention has now turned to the fallout - starting with a West Coast board meeting on Wednesday.

All options are on the table, reports 7NEWS Perth’s Ryan Daniels, including terminating Darling’s four-year, $3 million contract and potential deregistration from the AFL.

“That option sounds extreme, but I’m told it’s a genuine possibility,” Daniels reported.

“Deregistration would mean Darling is unable to join another club if he changes his stance on vaccination or the AFL removes the mandate in the future.

“It allows the Eagles to retain some control.”

West Coast could also put Darling on the inactive list, costing the forward roughly $500,000, and sign a replacement player.

“Communication between Darling and West Coast has been scarce since the first deadline, despite efforts from some at the club,” Daniels said.

“Hope that Darling would receive the vaccine has all but disintegrated.”

Darling has been receiving advice from a doctor known for anti-5G claims and his mother-in-law, who has led anti-vaccine protests.

The looming board decision comes after chief executive Trevor Nisbett said they had no update on Darling’s future.

“As I’m sure you’ll appreciate, it’s a private and sensitive situation, and there’s nothing I can comment on beyond what the club has