THE AFL Players’ Association has queried the year-long nature of AFL training but believes pre-season matches are vital for both clubs and their players.
 
The season-ending knee injuries suffered by West Coast defender Eric Mackenzie and Western Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore in the first round of the NAB Challenge triggered a debate on both the necessity of pre-season games and the length and intensity of pre-season training schedules.
On Monday night, the AFLPA said it would not propose any changes to pre-season fixtures but admitted it was concerned about the off-season training loads being placed on players.
 
The association’s general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast told SEN that pre-season hit-outs were important to clubs and players.
 
"The feedback from players and clubs is that they need two to three games," Prendergast said. 
 
"Obviously it's really unfortunate to see a number of significant injuries, particularly the ACLs in the first practice matches that are played, but we're not in a position to be proposing any changes at this stage from the players' association's point of view."
 
The injuries to Mackenzie and Liberatore led to a broader discussion on the length and intensity of pre-season training.
 
 
Prendergast said the AFLPA was satisfied that a good balance had been met under the collective bargaining agreement, with players receiving a mandatory six weeks off before beginning their pre-Christmas training block.
 
However, Prendergast said there was an issue with the expectations of clubs that players trained during their off-season and presented themselves in elite physical shape on day one of pre-season.
"Based on the feedback we're getting from players, it may be that we need to work with clubs to have a closer look at that in terms of the stress and anxiety that players are feeling based on the expectation during that period," Prendergast said.
 
"The programs that are imposed during their off-season period, when they're supposed to be enjoying leave, really kick in after the first or second week.
 
"The players stick to these programs day-in, day-out.
 
"So I think perhaps we need to have a look at the nature of those programs and the standards that are set for players when they return, because I don't think it's a case where we want these players performing PB's on return.
 
"It needs to be a gradual lead-up, particularly given the length of the pre-season period.
 
"But again we'll work closely with clubs, high-performance staff, to work out what that balance is and monitor (the situation).
 
"But at this stage there's no changes that we're proposing."