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AFL players to buy into short season: Crow

3 minute read

Adelaide stalwart Tom Lynch says AFL players will have no choice but to buy into shorter breaks between games if the season resumes.

TOM LYNCH Adelaide Crows at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia.
TOM LYNCH Adelaide Crows at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

AFL players will have no choice but to buy-in to a condensed season with minimal breaks between games, Adelaide stalwart Tom Lynch says.

The 29-year-old forward believes older players may suffer from proposed five-day breaks between games if the league resumes this season.

"It will make it a little bit hard for us older blokes," Lynch said on Wednesday.

"But I think whatever they come up with, the footy club will have to be really flexible and really buy into what is going to take place.

"It's easier to say no than it is to say yes and start from there.

"We have got the best (fitness) people ... they are going to have us in fantastic nick, whether that is five-day breaks on the constant, if that is the reality, that is the reality."

The AFL has suspended competition until at least May 31 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With just one round played in a season reduced to 17 games, AFL hierarchy are exploring a range of scheduling options for any resumption.

Lynch, a renowned fitness fanatic, said clubs would require a mini pre-season of training as a group before playing.

"Training as a group is something that needs to happen, that is my opinion," he said.

"But for however long, I'm not too sure.

"What I do know, time is obviously precious and we're wanting to get in as many games as possible so the later it goes, I suppose the shorter that (mini pre-season) will be."

The 139-game veteran said shortened quarters, and extended breaks between them, would help.

In round one, quarters were reduced to 16 minutes plus time-on.

"I certainly felt that I recovered better from that game," Lynch said.

'Obviously with the reduced time and the extended breaks, guys certainly did say that they recovered quicker.

"It seemed about right. I'm not sure what the future holds for that game-time or anything, but it certainly did help in being able to play not too long after."

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