The majority of AFL players still want a 22-game season, rather than the reduced 17-game season that the AFL has announced in response to the coronavirus crisis.

While a clear majority of players supported the AFL season starting this week on Thursday night without crowds, a survey by their union of all 800 or so players also found that the bulk still believed the season should go for 22 games, although the wish for the normal 22-games was a majority, not a uniform view.

(L-R) AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield, AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan. The players voted to accept the proposed 17-game season, but the majority would prefer the full 22 games be played. Credit:AAP

The players had been made aware that the AFL had proposed a 20 per cent pay cut to players due to the significant loss of revenue that is about to hit the game and especially the 18 clubs, due to the absence of crowds and the likelihood that matches will be cancelled when players and even coaches contract the virus. AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said on Monday that competition would be shut down for two weeks if just one player contracted the virus.

In talking to their union, some players have questioned why the season had to be cut to 17 matches when the AFL has indicated, through McLachlan, that games could be played into October and potentially stretching the season for up to 40 weeks.