A NUMBER of Victorian-based Gold Coast and Brisbane players – including this year's No.1 pick Charlie Rowbottom – are still in their home state due to border pass issues, despite pre-season having already begun.

Rowbottom and new teammate Vivien Saad have been unable to join the Suns for the start of pre-season, while Lions recruit Phoebe Monahan has been training solo at home in Geelong.

The issue is understood to be around border passes between Victoria and Queensland, and the two clubs are working closely with the AFL to rectify the situation.

There is a backlog of applications to enter the state from the hotspots of New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, whether that’s people wanting to relocate to Queensland – the category the players fall into – or residents wishing to return home.

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"The health and safety of all players and those in the community remains paramount and the AFL, together with all clubs, will continue to always be led by respective governments and health officials as it navigates the ongoing pandemic," an AFL spokesperson said.