AFL CEO Gill McLachlan says the League cannot partner with the male only Carbine Club unless there is a commitment to welcome female members.

It was reported on Friday that McLachlan had withdrawn from the traditional Carbine Club Grand Final week lunch after the club failed to introduce women into its membership by a set deadline.

The League chief said he would speak with the club's chairman Graham Halbish on Friday to clarify the club's stance.

"My understanding is they were heading down that path (to introduce female members) and going to make some announcements, so I'm a bit confused about today and we'll pick it up with Graham," McLachlan said on 3AW.

"Our position was pretty clear.

"Clearly there has to be, if not female members, then an articulation of female members coming in. That's what we've been discussing.

"I'm not quite sure where it's at … I'll pick it up with them today."

The League has a 52-year association with the Carbine Club, an all-male lunch and sporting club named after the 1890 Melbourne Cup winner.

However, McLachlan has made a concerted push since taking over as CEO to promote equality in the game and was opposed to partnering with a male only club.  

"I don't have an issue per se with men's or women's clubs, it's just that this is in Grand Final week and it's one of our key functions," he said.  

"Our push is around a diverse, inclusive game and where we have a women's league it is hard for us to partner with a lunch group that has the ability to have female members but doesn't.

"We've had really good conversations, they've been really accommodating to our views and have been working towards that."