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Only four AFL clubs would be able to survive through 2020 without help from the league and HQ will need to take further control of their bank accounts, reports Nine.

West Coast, Richmond, Hawthorn and Collingwood are the teams said to be financially strong enough to keep operating if there is no 2020 season and the AFL does not fund the clubs.

Gold Coast and North Melbourne are among the clubs most in danger according to Caroline Wilson, who reported they would need money within the next two weeks to remain solvent.

The AFL plans to “essentially turn league chief Gillon McLachlan and the AFL Commission into the competition’s banker”, as the teams will be able to borrow from the league interest-free until the end of October, before interest of 3.3 per cent is levied.

The league reportedly has $600 million on offer and if the AFL season begins by early August, the Bombers, Bulldogs and “potentially” the Crows would join the Eagles, Tigers, Hawks and Magpies as able to survive without borrowing.

Furthermore, “the clubs were taken aback to learn they will have to cover their players’ seven-figure marketing costs for 2020 - a decision strongly questioned by Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett on behalf of the clubs,” according to the report.

CLUBS GROWING NERVOUS OVER FUTURE PICK TRADES

Years of clever trading by AFL clubs to improve their draft hand may all go to waste if the 2020 Draft ends up compromised by coronavirus.

The AFL is yet to decide on a format for this year’s national draft. It may not change, but with an abbreviated season for teenage talent almost certain and the potential for smaller AFL lists in 2021, the draft could also be abbreviated.

AFL Media reports a number of clubs are concerned they will have minimal chances to evaluate 2020 prospects this year, meaning equations about the value of draft picks could be thrown out the window.

For example, Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong and North Melbourne all own multiple 2020 first-round picks due to trades involving future selections in recent times.

However with less of a chance to scout players they’ll likely have less knowledge than in a usual draft year. This in turn could lead to worse decision-making.

Every club except Carlton made at least one trade involving a 2020 draft pick last year.

There’s also the potential some draft picks simply won’t happen, because clubs won’t have spots on their list to use.

The draft is already set to be compromised by the number of players tied to certain clubs via academies or father-son links, including potential No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs).