General manager of football Peter Bell believes a handful of rule changes brought in by the AFL for the 2020 season will mean players can play more football in a shorter period of time. 

The AFL shortened quarters to 16 minutes from 20 minutes for the 2020 season, anticipating that teams may need to play more than once a week throughout the year.

Bell said the changes had an impact on Fremantle’s recovery from round one.

“I ink the shorter quarters (and) the longer breaks after each goal as well… after one round of football, and I know it’s only a small sample size, that guys were ready to go again in around four or five days,” Bell told 6PR.

“It will be interesting to see if they still feel the same way as we get further into a compressed season.

“There might be scope for more players on the interchange bench, perhaps there will be other mechanisms that we can trigger to take a bit of a load off the players.”

Bell acknowledged the uncertainty about when the season might recommence but remained hopeful it would happen at some point this year.

“When we initially went into the postponement phase, we were told the AFL would make a call on around 27 April. They would like to get players (back at clubs) by around 4 May with a view to playing 1 June after another pre-season,” Bell said.

“We’ve been in a lot of conversations with the AFL. There have been discussions about having carnival-type setups...the idea that Fremantle and other interstate clubs travel to Victoria and play a number of games over a shorter period of time.

“It’s going to be really difficult task…a lot of people are putting a lot of time into (the planning) and I’m confident we’ll get to a space where we can recommence the season and do the right thing by the community at the same time.”

Bell said he expects the players to be ready to go, whenever that time comes.

“The guys are really professional and they’ll be working really hard,” Bell said.

“No matter how hard they work in isolation it’s not going to be the same as working together at the club, that’s for sure, but I am confident that all the players from all the clubs will come back in very good shape, whenever that may be.

“And then if it means we are playing football in a compressed state, to get the season underway and get the season finished, then I am sure the guys will rise to the occasion.

“At the same time we have to make sure player health and safety is paramount.”