AFL CHIEF executive Andrew Demetriou has revealed the AFL Players' Association rejected a $1.1 billion package as part of negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement, while re-affirming that "the game should [pay] the players what the game can afford".

That figure is a 36 per cent increase on the $811 million price tag of the current five-year CBA that is due to expire on October 31 of this year, but two extra clubs - Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney, with a total projected salary cap of around $100 million over the period - will be included in the next agreement.

The size of the AFL's offer has stayed out of the public domain as the two parties have worked toward a new agreement, but a day after the historic AFLPA meeting where players resolved to reject the offer, Demetriou clarified the League's negotiating position.

"The package that we've offered is around about the $1.1 billion [mark over five years]," Demetriou told a press conference at AFL House on Thursday.

"It's for the players to determine how they apportion that," he added, while noting that this figure related to the cash component of the recent $1.253 billion broadcast deal.

"They could have it all in [total player payments] and the increase would be significant, but the players have indicated - which we support, by the way - that they want to have the best retirement scheme of any athletes in this country.

"Depending on how much you want to put into that then what's left you can put into TPP (Total Player Payments). That's really for the players to determine."

The main sticking point in negotiations, which began in earnest following the in April, has been the AFLPA's desire to secure a share - from 25 to 27 per cent - of the AFL's total revenue, which the League has baulked at.

But in a further development in the impasse, AFLPA official Ian Prendergast revealed on Melbourne radio on Thursday morning that his association did not consider government grants to the League would form part of that total revenue stream; Demetriou said this was new information.

Before that information came to light, AFL figures distributed to the clubs suggested the AFLPA's claim was approximately $200 million more than the League's offer as revealed by Demetriou on Thursday. With government grants now off the table it is less clear how far apart the parties are.

The nominal deadline for a new CBA to be agreed upon was June 30, but despite the passing of that target, Demetriou remains committed to maintaining a dialogue with the players that will deliver a fair and balanced outcome.

"I've always been a believer in making sure that the players get treated fairly and that they get dealt with first," he said.

"They get the largest share of all our stakeholders, which we are committed to, and the largest share of any upside that we've just received. They're our principles and you'd hope, as we've demonstrated in the past, that that's a fair outcome.

"[But] the game should [pay] the players what the game can afford. My challenge, on behalf of our industry, clubs and our supporters, is to make sure that we balance the expectations of the players with our other important priorities."

On the same day the AFL announced a $12 million aid package to SA clubs, Adelaide and Port Adelaide, Demetriou reaffirmed his strong desire to ensure the League's 18 clubs were financially strong and that the game remain affordable for fans.  

"We want a significant amount of money going into development [too]," he continued.

"We want to keep putting money into schools, community football, facilities and NAB AFL Auskick programs. We want to put money into multi-cultural programs and get more women participating.

"We do that like no other code in this country so it becomes a balancing of priorities."

Strike action was not on the agenda at the AFLPA meeting, but the players did resolve to pursue appropriate options via the Fair Work Act if a positive outcome for the players can't be reached.

The two parties are yet to schedule the next round of talks, but Demetriou remains confident a new CBA can be agreed upon without the players having to resort to drastic options.

"We're not going anywhere and I don't think the players are going anywhere," he said.

"I think it's incumbent on all parties to sit down and have meaningful dialogue and that's what we're committed to doing.

"I don't think there's anything to be gained from any adversarial positioning or (adversarial) dialogue.

"I know it's great fodder for the media and will continue to be that way for the ensuing period, but we're there to get outcomes … and we'll continue to talk to the players constructively."