VFL and other state leagues suspended indefinitely

UPDATE

The VFL and other state leagues have been suspended until May 31.

The AFL released the following statement:

"The AFL wishes to advise that following a meeting with AFL State CEOs a collective decision has been made to postpone the operation and / or the commencement of each premier State League and national and state talent program across the country."

"The decision was collectively agreed upon based on the part-time nature of these competitions and the financial implications for the State League clubs and State Leagues.

"This decision is effective until May 31.

"The AFL will continue to explore all fixturing alternatives to ensure matches are played, however, acknowledges the situation is fluid and any decision made may change."

EARLIER

The VFL season has been suspended indefinitely as AFL teams crack down on player interaction ahead of their own campaigns, according to multiple reports.

Richmond and the Western Bulldogs had already pulled the plug on their teams, wanting to limit who their AFL players are exposed to.

Due to the cancellation of the Victorian Development League in 2017, which helped fill VFL rosters and served as a reserves league for it, clubs became completely reliant on AFL-listed talent filling out sides.

With AFL clubs now pulling their players, the league simply can’t fill its sides.

Leading VFL writer for Leader Newspapers Paul Amy believes this decision will put “enormous financial strain” on standalone teams Williamstown, Port Melbourne, Coburg, Frankston and Werribee.

The AFL season is still scheduled to go ahead at this stage. The VFL season was set to get underway on April 3rd.