AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has confirmed the league is debating whether to scrap the pre-finals bye.
With two rounds left in the home and away season, the AFL is weighing up whether to remove the bye after Round 23 to keep the season rolling, with Melbourne and COVID-ravaged Sydney currently in lockdown.
The pre-finals bye has come in for criticism, with some believing the winners of the two qualifying finals are disadvantaged heading into preliminary final weekend.
“We’re having discussions with our clubs about the finals,” McLachlan told reporters on Thursday.
“We don’t have the answer yet. I and we (the AFL) have raised with our clubs – where does the bye between the home and away (season) and the finals sit?
“We’re waiting to see how Victoria plays out. We’re contingency planning.
“At the moment, we’re debating whether to have the bye or not. That’s as candid as I can be.”
McLachlan also provided an update on Tasmania’s bid for an AFL team, revealing the Colin Carter report will be released on Friday.
The AFL boss is set for more talks with Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein regarding the state’s push to secure a 19th licence.
“I’m going to talk to him (Gutwein) this afternoon and then we’ll look to make some sort of public announcement tomorrow,” McLachlan said.
“That won’t be any decisions, it’ll be a commitment that we’ll put out the Carter report tomorrow.
“Please don’t expect a decision, it’ll be giving you the information which I think is a significant commitment.”