'Two fewer players': Legend's radical plan to fix AFL post-shutdown

AFL great Leigh Matthews says the competition's shutdown has brought about the perfect opportunity for footy bosses to make changes for the betterment of the game.

The competition has been shutdown until at least May 31 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a return date will soon be announced.

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AFL boss Gillon McLachlan is adamant he will be able to deliver definitive details around the competition's resumption date by the end of April.

Matthews says in the interim, footy bosses have an opportunity to formulate plans to improve the game.

The legendary player and coach says he would start by reducing the numbers of players per side by two, in order to make contests more open.

"When you ask that question [about the number of players] the only answer seems to be 'because we have always had 18 on the field'," he told The Age.

"The field is the same size as it was 100 years ago and players wore boots they nailed studs into. They are more athletic now, running around basically in spokes. They are faster and bigger.

"It's only logical to me to reduce the number of players on the field, it opens the game up. You need two fewer players per game, so it's an impact on list sizes."

Matthews says the AFL also needs to stick to a more rigid duration for its quarters, with the designated 25-minute stanzas often stretching to 30 minutes.

“The game was always 25 minutes and time on but then time on was only called by the umpire when there was a long stoppage or a goal,” he said.

“Now it's for a lot of things, so I think the real question is how long do you want your quarter to go for? Twenty-five minutes or 30?"

Saints star says three weeks is enough preparation for players

Before games can recommence, likely in July, players and coaches will need time to regroup at clubs.

Bradley Hill, who joined St Kilda from Fremantle during the off-season, said it was up to players to ensure they remained fit while in lockdown.

"Personally I think (three weeks is) enough," Hill told Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

"If you keep doing the program the clubs have set out for us over this period and keep fit, it shouldn't be any dramas at all.

"We have done a big pre-season over the last 12 weeks or whatever it was.

"If we can just maintain that fitness and come back and have a three-week training period I reckon we should be good to go."

The AFL has conceded matches will resume without fans but has not yet settled on the proposed plan of returning to play in quarantine hubs.

AFL Players Association chief Paul Marsh and AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield have both voiced their concerns about the hub concept.

with AAP