AFL players will have their wages cut by only 3.5 per cent for the 2021 season.
Reports from across the industry on Wednesday afternoon suggest there will be a nine per cent decrease in the Total Player Payments (TPP) in 2021, but the decrease in list sizes softens the cut.
Players who signed a deal after the mid-year contract freeze will see no wage reduction.
List sizes have also been confirmed, with list sizes reduced from between 38 and 47 to between 37 and 44.
A maximum of 38 players on the senior list, down from 40 this year. Teams will only have to select one player in this year’s draft if they wish.
The salary cap is expected to return to normal in 2022.
75 per cent of the playing group will have to approve the deal for it to pass.