Carlton pair Nic Newman and Zac Fisher will spend the AFL's shutdown period recovering from elbow surgery and a syndesmosis injury respectively.

The AFL faces a major challenge with the coronavirus pandemic shutting down the season, but the league has battled through major world crises before.

The AFL has secured a lifeline from banks which will allow it to continue operating through the coronavirus crisis and potentially save clubs from extinction.

Former West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold has spoken about his relationship with fallen AFL star Ben Cousins.

North Melbourne premiership star David King believes the AFL should use the coronavirus break to overhaul the game.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the league must be agile and flexible in its thinking, including the timing and venue for this season's grand final.