Players push for all-star game

Ian Prendergast ... says the AFL players are pushing for all-star game. Source: Nicole Garmston / News Limited

AFL players want the league to seriously consider their east-versus-west representative concept while it considers a dramatic revamp of the season's structure.

The AFL Players Association said it would canvass its members about a potential 24-round season, which would also include a shorter pre-season for players.

It wants the east-versus-west concept, splitting teams into two conferences, as a serious negotiating point if the rest of the season's structure is up for grabs.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said a season proposed by AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou wouldn't come at the expense of the NAB Cup.

Clubs have declared they require at least three official warm-up games before the home-and-away season.

The league says it is considering all options for the 2014 home-and-away structure, including a 24-round season over 26 weeks with two byes, and an earlier start date to the season.

A start date in early or mid-March would mean round one blockbusters customarily held at the MCG, including Richmond-Carlton, would likely be pushed back until later in the season.

AFLPA executive Ian Prendergast said the players' union welcomed the discussion, but would want a shorter pre-season competition in return for a longer home-and-away season.

"We will get the views of players on the types of issues raised by the players. Players have been pushing for a reduced pre-season, two byes and a meaningful leave period but are also exploring the concept of representative football," he said.

"The players are strong on the idea of (representative) footy, but the latest concept pushed by the players involves it being run at the end of the pre-season.

"We think it's a great thing for the game, and it is something which could seriously be considered if the AFL is looking at expanding the season."

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the league would need to make an August decision but a radically shortened NAB Cup seems the only option off the table.

"Whatever happens with the NAB Cup, we will be doing in concert with (National Australia Bank), but it is never going to be one or two weeks," he said.

"Clubs have told us they require a minimum of three weeks to get their players ready, so whatever you want to do with it, you still have to get players ready and that's the feedback we have had from clubs."

View the original article here