THE AFL will officially remove AFLX scheduling from its pre-season fixturing.

After trialling the abridged game and format in the past two off-seasons, the decision to remove it from 2020 was due to a commitment to allow greater focus on the fourth season of AFLW, which will see four new clubs introduced.

The AFL advised clubs on Tuesday, the first of a two-day conference of club chief executives at Nagambie, of the decision to pause scheduling of AFLX matches.

AFL general manager football operations Steve Hocking told the officials his department was analysing all aspects of pre-season fixturing.

The clubs were told crowd numbers were tracking to better last season's all-time best figures, and TV viewers and participation were also historically strong.

Hocking has previously indicated that it would be unlikely for any significant rule changes in 2020.

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