AFL clubs will be able to call on up to 20 extra players as the league plans to push on through the third-straight season affected by COVID-19.
After two years of serious disruptions and games held without crowds, the AFL is determined to stage its most normal campaign since before the pandemic.
In updated COVID-19 guidelines released on Tuesday, the AFL has announced contingency lists for clubs affected by coronavirus infections and isolation periods.
Clubs can access their top-up players from state leagues and academies but need to submit their lists by 5pm this Friday.
"Over the last two seasons the AFL has put measures in place to best protect the competition, our clubs, players and umpires," AFL football manager Brad Scott said.
"While the ongoing pandemic will continue to challenge us, we remain committed to completing the season for supporters in a way that prioritises the health and safety of the wider community.
"In a national sport, played across many states and territories, we need to be able to adapt, and adapt quickly to the COVID-19 conditions at any one time at locations where home teams are based, or away teams are travelling to.
"These guidelines help us achieve that while providing potential opportunities for talented players plying their craft in state league competitions to play football at the elite level.
"Through these guidelines, we have worked together with state leagues to ensure minimal impact or disruption to their respective competitions."
Clubs will only be able to call up footballers from their contingency list if they less than 28-listed AFL players to choose from due to COVID-19 circumstances, injuries and general unavailability.
Teams based outside Victoria will have access to players from standalone VFL clubs.
The Brisbane Lions have formed alignments with Coburg and Port Melbourne, the Sydney Swans with Werribee and the Northern Bullants, while GWS will be able to pluck players from Frankston and Williamstown.
Lions captain Dayne Zorko has expressed concerns about how forced isolation periods will affect the physical conditioning of players.
He pointed to the Lions suffering three injuries, Keidean Coleman, James Madden and Deven Robertson, in their pre-season win against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night as an example.
"I think we're going to see a lot more of this happening over the year," Zorko told SEN.
"(Coleman) was in isolation because his brother had caught COVID the week before and wasn't able to train, he obviously had to stay at home, (then he) comes out, has one training session and feels good.
"Then, reaching the high intensity of the game, and the game was quite a high-paced game, and injury happens.
"So I think we'll see a lot more of that with COVID and people in isolation and people wanting to play as well."
