The 2018 JLT Community Series could be reduced in length and could include matches based on the AFLX format, according to AFL football operations manager Simon Lethlean.
Lethlean told the AFL Exchange podcast on Tuesday afternoon there was room to move regarding next year's pre-season structure, given the league are yet to finalise details on the competition.
"It's certainly in review as to whether we play three or two games," Lethlean said.
"We could keep it the same as last year or we could play one less game and give AFLW a bit more focus as well.
"There are a few options around."
After the AFLX concept was introduced to fans last week, the league has been deciding whether or not a round of AFLX matches will be introduced into the pre-season competition.
Despite this, Lethlean still wants the new format to be debuted in the bye week between round 23 and the finals this season.
"We've been pretty clear now we are going to trial this concept at some stage whether that's in the celebration of football weekend in the (pre-finals) bye week or whether we do it as a curtain-raiser to International Rules later in the year, or whether we make it part of the pre-season competition as part of a preparatory comp for the players," Lethlean said.
"We'll look at it, we want to do it. We'll need the club and player support to get there with it, so we'll discuss with the coaches tonight their views and see where we get to."
The football operations manager said North Melbourne trialled AFLX in their pre-season training, and said it worked well for the Roos.
"We did this with North Melbourne in the pre-season this year and they had the GPS units on their players and it was far and away their most intense session of their pre-season," Lethlean said.
"They enjoyed it, so if we changed the pre-season structure next year or in years to come [AFLX] could form a first week of practice-match-style competition for the teams.
"It's certainly an option."
