The AFL will establish a third “transition hub” on the eve of finals.
The clubs were told yesterday that the league would provide a final olive branch for players to join the game in Queensland.
The hub will be set-up from September 1 – primarily for players at clubs in finals contention.
The home-and-away season is scheduled to finish on September 20.
Any players making the trip would then be expected to quarantine for 14 days, but would be permitted to train in isolation without coming in contact with teammates.
The new hub opens the door for Geelong superstar Gary Ablett to return to the fold after he left the team in Perth on July 18 to be with his wife and son back in Victoria.
Ablett, 36 and in his final season, is training hard under the guidance of Cats strength and conditioning coach Chris Dennis, club physio Mark Young and former teammate Andrew Mackie.
The quartet are set-up at an otherwise shutdown GMHBA Stadium, where they have the facilities to themselves at the deserted stadium.
The two-time Brownlow medallist and dual premiership veteran is said to be very keen to reunite with teammates and has been engaged with the club from afar.
Carlton’s Liam Stocker and retiring St Kilda defender Nathan Brown have also returned home.
Richmond’s Shane Edwards remains in Melbourne where is awaiting the birth of his child.