With 10 teams guaranteed to finish their season this weekend, clubs have moved to prepare players for a period when player inevitably let their hair down.
Player development managers, leadership groups and senior players at clubs have been facilitating sessions involving players in recent weeks with real world scenarios being raised and potential responses to those situations being discussed.
Discussions relate to potential scenarios involving illicit drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex and consent as well as life after football.
AFL Football Operations Manager Mark Evans told AFL.com.au players were being made aware how to manage situations they may face in the off-season to minimise the chances they would make a decision that could be physically harmful or damage their reputation.
"You do have to have some understanding that the requirements on these guys for the majority of the year [mean they work] in a strict and controlled environment [so] you do need to allow people to have a good break away, which includes a mental break and let their hair down. But you do need to do it in a way that protects their reputation and their health," Evans said.
There have been several recent off-season incidents that created negative headlines for players and clubs, threatening careers and reputation.
There have also been reservations with the way 'Mad Monday' celebrations have become part of the football calendar.
The AFL was also hit with tragedy when John McCarthy died at the age of 23 while on an end of season trip overseas in 2012 with his teammates at Port Adelaide.
Clubs believe that involving players in the discussion ensures more practical strategies can be put in place to increase the prospect of the off-season passing without drama.
"Part of the professionalism of being an elite athlete is to spend some time thinking about and preparing for what you do from the end of one season through to the start of your next training campaign," Evans said.
The collective bargaining agreement has put more stringent policies in place to ensure players have a genuine break from the club and this program backs up the commitment from the AFLPA to create opportunities for players to lead more balanced lives while forging an AFL career.
Traditionally clubs have only briefly addressed what is expected during the off-season in the week after the team is knocked out of the race for the flag.
Time remains limited once the season ends with the collective bargaining agreement requiring players to be at the club for just the first two days of the week after their final game.
These programs signify clubs want to take a more proactive approach to player well-being.
Evans said there were also practical elements that had to be clearly spelt out in relation to standards expected when players returned to training and who to contact at the club if something happens during their leave.
