REPRESENTATIVE football is likely to replace the NAB Cup Grand Final next year after sweeping changes were made to the structure of the 2014 AFL season.
The exact form of the game is yet to be determined, with either an All-Star or a State of Origin format possible.
The AFL Players' Association will set up a working party to help consider the concept that will be developed in consultation with the League.
An All-Star format – similar to that played by the NFL – is considered more likely than State of Origin as it would make it possible for all players to be selected in the game.
The contest would be played two weeks before the premiership season begins and would follow two pre-season matches played between clubs in the lead-up.
The most recent representative football occurred during the 2008 season - a Hall of Fame Tribute game between Victoria and an All-Star team was played at the MCG.
That game attracted 69,294 and players received a match fee that was donated to selected charities.
Players expressed support for the return of representative football in a recent survey conducted by the AFLPA.
The chance to play alongside and socialise with the best players of their era is attractive to many players. Many are also fans of American sport where the concept of representative games is part of their professional sporting culture.
AFL Football operations boss Mark Evans said there were a number of possibilities for the game.
"There's lot of options to consider. In the pre-seasons of the last few years we've had the indigenous all-stars played so there's certainly some attraction for that sort of side," Evans told 3AW.
"Lots of other things have been thrown up, whether there's some form of representative footy, do we go state by state, do we try an east vs. west [game] ... there's lots of things we could look at to maybe invigorate that part of the year."
The proposals have included the All Australian side being brought together.
"I'd love to see that our All Australian side could actually pull on the same jumper, that would be a terrific concept to go with," Evans said.
"It's even been proposed could you come up with those who have been selected as NAB Rising Stars? Or could you have an AFLPA combined side? Or do you throw to two players and [they] pick their own side?
"It's a fresh chance to see if there's something else that can take that spot of interest at the end of the pre-season."
AFLPA player relations manager Ian Prendergast said players were enthusiastic about working with the League to develop the representative concept.
"This opportunity to showcase the elite talent of our game would be an exciting prospect for our athletes and fans. A working group of players will be formed to assist the players’ association throughout this process," Prendergast said.
