ALL CLUBS could begin pre-season training on December 1 in the future after the idea was raised at the meeting between AFL captains and the AFL Commission on Tuesday.

In a discussion around work-life balance between club skippers and the Commission, a start date of December 1 was floated as a possible time for all clubs to begin training simultaneously.
 
In the discussion it was suggested that the majority of players might return on December 1 while players with more than 10 years experience could come back to the club in the first week of January.
 
The AFL Commission is keen to examine ways to ensure players live a balanced lifestyle during their careers,while players are concerned about the growing demands on those involved in the game and the increasing difficulties they face in pursuing off-field activity.
 
The idea to shorten pre-season training has been suggested before but has gained new currency as concerns about player wellbeing and work-life balance continues to grow.
 
There were concerns expressed that the current break meant some players were letting their hair down - often overseas - for four to six weeks, allowing themselves two weeks to get back into shape before pre-season started.
 
The short break after such an intense season also left players with little time to reconnect with a normal way of life before training commenced. Often, training before pre-season includes an overseas training camp.
 
Players were also concerned the guaranteed day off mid-week that they have during the season was not as easy for them to take in practice as it was in theory. Although mandated under the collective bargaining agreement, many skippers said players felt pressure to be doing extra work on their day off.
 
The issue has been bubbling for some time and came into focus during the Players Wellbeing Summit that was held in late January.  
 
That summit was called in response to growing concern about what Collingwood CEO Gary Pert described as "explosive behaviour" by some players during the off-season.
 
After that meeting, AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou admitted he was disturbed to hear that it was becoming increasingly difficult for players to undertake education and engage in meaningful off-field activities while forging an AFL career.

Club chiefs expressed surprise at some of the players' concerns and have committed to meeting in 2013 to discuss ways in which they can support work-life balance for players.   
 
A meeting of club CEOs to discuss the issue is scheduled for May.

The AFLPA is keen to address the issue and has initiated research to examine what link might exist between good balance off the field and improved performance on the field.