The AFL has suggested a cap on the number of players picked from each team in the proposed pre-season representative game in a bid to allay club concerns.

A limit of three players per club would force selectors to make tough choices, such as picking from a Geelong group of Joel Selwood, Steven Motlop, Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson, Mathew Stokes, Tom Hawkins, James Kelly, Harry Taylor and Corey Enright competing for places.  

The League has also floated the idea of allowing clubs to monitor the minutes played by their players as it begins to plan the game's structure.

AFL executive Simon Lethlean made a presentation to club CEOs and presidents on the Monday of Grand Final week about the way the game, to be played instead of the NAB Cup Grand Final, might be set up.

The initial reaction to the game was mixed, with many club chiefs yet to be convinced a representative game was necessary.

As well as fearing injury to star players on the eve of the season, several clubs expressed cynicism that players would still be keen to participate when the game draws near.

However Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett, Scott Pendlebury and premiership captain Luke Hodge have stated their desire to play in such a fixture and believe the concept will have strong support from players.

At the meeting, CEOs asked the AFL to again canvass opinion from club football departments to determine the real level of commitment the players have towards playing in such a game.

It means any decision on the game's format - and whether it is played at all - might be delayed until after the fixture is released later this month.

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich told AFL.com.au there was work to be done to see whether the game was viable from a football and commercial point of view.

"It's too early to have a definitive opinion on it, but there are some commercial and football issues to work through before that type of concept could be considered further," he said.

Meetings have already been held within the AFL to discuss what format the game might take. AFL.com.au understands the game is more likely to be between two representative all-star teams, than a traditional State of Origin concept.

That preferred model means every player is eligible for selection.

Adam Goodes and Jonathan Brown as teammates in the 2008 Hall of Fame Tribute game. Picture: AFL Media

The AFL Players Association is supporting the concept after players overwhelmingly backed the idea in a survey conducted mid-season. The AFL sees the merit in having a showcase game involving the best players to replace the NAB Cup Grand Final.  

Such showcase games are standard in most of the world's professional sporting competitions.

Hodge said he would love to have a crack against the best players if given the opportunity.

"It’s pretty exciting to think about the type of players you’d be running around with and some of the match-ups that would be on show. Hopefully the AFL and ‘PA can get it organised," Hodge said.

Lethlean pointed out at the meeting that the game will be played on the same weekend that all teams play intra-club matches, so players will be playing a game anyway.

However the initial negative response of coaches Nathan Buckley and Damien Hardwick to the game when it was first mooted is expected to reflect the attitude of most football departments.

They argue it's not so much the clubs that stop players playing representative football but that when it comes to the crunch, players choose to withdraw.

Ablett, a certain selection if available, said he would put his hand up to be involved in the game.

"To be able to play against the best players in the comp at that time of year will be the perfect preparation for the season," Ablett said.

Opposition to the game is not universal among CEOs, however, with one club chief telling AFL.com.au he thought the idea had merit as a viable option to replace the NAB Cup Grand Final.

He said that although the issue was not explored in great detail during the CEOs' meeting, many clubs reacted negatively to the idea rather than presenting solutions.

His view was that players would be playing on the weekend anyway and a unique game would attract interest from a wide audience and provide a strong lead-in to the season.  

Pendlebury is known to be a big fan of American sport, where All-Star games are a key part of professional competitions.

"It’s something that’s been missing for too long now.  I’ve been supportive of this personally, but I also think it will have strong support from players," Pendlebury said.

Additional reporting by Nathan Schmook