AFL considers ‘top-up’ player plan to combat COVID-19 chaos this season

The AFL is reportedly considering allowing clubs to use top-up players from state leagues this season in a bid to offset player shortages that loom because of COVID-19.

It could see those players represent multiple clubs across the season.

There are fears AFL matches may have to be called off or postponed this year, should there be significant COVID-19 outbreaks within clubs during the season.

3AW Football commentator Tim Lane said he wasn’t surprised the AFL was looking at every option to keep the game going.

“My reading of this seems there is extremities of possibility in this and that perhaps it’s still evolving,” he said.

Lane said it wouldn’t be the first time players found themselves playing for multiple clubs in the same season.

Press PLAY below to hear Tim Lane discuss the issue with Tom Elliott