THE AFLPA'S landmark player meeting on Wednesday evening is expected to involve the majority of players across the country as they get their chance to express their opinions on negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement.
The meeting, which will be closed to media, will be held at Melbourne's Crown Palladium with provisions made for players in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and on the Gold Coast to follow proceedings via video link.
It will start at 7pm and it expected to last around 90 minutes, with AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis and president Luke Power to address the players.
They will be updated on the progress of the current negotiations regarding the CBA, and will be given the opportunity to offer their thoughts and concerns on the continuing talks with the AFL.
The AFL will not have a representative present.
"As we approach the June 30 deadline, it's important that the association updates its members on the status of negotiations and the nature of the latest offer from the AFL," Finnis said on Tuesday night.
"A national meeting of this nature is a good chance for players to come together, discuss CBA-related issues among themselves and with their association, and give direction about next steps.
"Ultimately, the players want a balanced outcome and for their role in the game to be respected.
"We are expecting most players to be in attendance. Players have indicated they are looking forward to attending, but there may be a small number that are unable to attend, for unavoidable reasons."
Finnis and Power will hold a press conference after the conclusion of the meeting.
Earlier on Tuesday, AFLPA general manager player relations Ian Prendergast told SEN it was important to keep the players informed of what was happening with negotiations, and also expected a heavy turnout based on the enthusiasm of players - including Fremantle captain and AFLPA board member Matthew Pavlich - in the lead-up.
"They've got the right to know because it's an important agreement we are negotiating on their behalf and that will be the purpose," he said.
"We think we'll have the majority there. We've certainly received huge support leading up to it.
"Time will tell exactly how many will rock up but we're pretty confident the large majority of players will be in Melbourne and around the country listening to what we have to say."
Pavlich wrote about the gathering in his weekly blog on fremantlefc.com.au on Sunday and said there was a "more subtle objective of the meeting; to visibly show the vast unity and engagement in which the entire playing group has on this issue".
"From our perspective, I can honestly say that the players are only concerned about receiving what is fair and reasonable," he wrote.
"We want to walk in step with the AFL when this next CBA is agreed upon, because it's really important to us that we are not only rewarded fairly during our relatively short careers, but at the same time do a deal that ensures the game remains the most prominent and successful in Australia."