Channel Nine's Craig Hutchison has revealed his vision for the AFL's 2021 schedule.
With the league currently shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Crocmedia chief's plan was to maximise the next 18 months and for the AFL to dominate the rest of the calendar year.
Speaking on Footy Classified on Monday night, Hutchison outlined his five-point plan.
Lock in post-season State of Origin series this year to match the NRL
"No point letting the NRL do State of Origin in November without trying to take it on head-to-head. There's three games the NRL forecast (potentially November 8, 15 and 22).
"Why the AFL wouldn't play Vic v South Australia and Western Australia v Allies and then a final, match it (the NRL) and go head-to-head would seem pointless to me. The players aren't going to be worn out and tired like they normally are. Why would you let the NRL have November?"
Pre-season delayed until January 1
"Pre-season won't start until the 1st of January no matter what happens, I think that's a given. And probably into January."
Start 2021 season in April to maximise chance of crowds
"Next year we've got to maximise crowds... If the crowds aren't back, I hate saying that out loud, we should hold the season back a little bit to let the crowds back. If you think March is not ready for crowds and April or May could be, well start a bit later. We want to have people go to the game next year. I would start later and I'll let the season finish later again."
Use the Olympics as mid-year break
"We may as well take a break during the Olympics next year if it's on. Use the Olympics as the mid-year break. They are going to be the biggest thing you've ever seen, it's going to be a celebration of humanity like we've never seen."
Season concludes end of October
"Have two years of end-of-October finishes (due to the later start) then we'll clean it up in 2022."