The AFL's expectation is that there will be games without crowds for several weeks, following the AFL's history-making decision to begin the season without fans.

In announcing that the season would start with fans locked out of games, the AFL said the games would be played without crowds for "the foreseeable future" - an outcome that will cost clubs millions in lost revenues and potentially force them to shed costs.

Clubs were told by the AFL hierarchy of the decision on Friday night. In making the extraordinary call, the AFL decided that it was better to get matches underway and completed, rather than postponing the season - the other option that was considered and which several clubs thought likely until late Friday afternoon.

The decision to play games without crowds reflected the reality that the coronavirus situation could worsen and force games to be cancelled later - hence the wish to hold them early.

Richmond said they would delay the unfurling of their 2019 premiership flag, which had been slated for next week, until fans were able to "share the moment".