AFL boss Andrew Dillon will compare pre-season injury lists before making any calls on season length

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon will wait until the end of pre-season before making a call on a burning issue after worrying signs.

Melbourne’s Judd McVee has been one of the many pre-season casualties. Picture: Michael Klein

The AFL will hold any verdict on the extended season’s role in injuries until the pre-season is complete.

The injury toll is climbing at some clubs, including the Western Bulldogs, who will likely be without five of its starters when it tackles North Melbourne in round 1.

Club captain Marcus Bontempelli believes he can notice the impact of a longer season.

“I think after spending sort of 11 or 12 years in the game now, you’re never really shocked around the toll sometimes a pre-season can have,” he said.

“Especially with the season being forward earlier, maybe one less week here or there and what it does to your overall body to prepare.”

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon urged everyone to wait until the pre-season was finished to compare the number of injuries with previous years.

Melbourne’s Judd McVee has been one of the many pre-season casualties. Picture: Michael Klein

He said the AFL was waiting to analyse the data and would look at making changes if it showed a significant spike in injured players.

“Any injuries we would prefer not to have, I think what I would like to do before we jump anywhere is get the data,” Dillon said.

“Listening to some of the media this morning, is it just there’s so much more focus on our pre-season, (where) are we just getting more being reported on.

“Or will the data tell us that there is more injuries? If they tell us that, then we will certainly look at it.

“I wouldn’t want to jump ahead of getting to the end of pre-season to see what the data tells us.

“What I can anecdotally say is that some clubs are having a great run and others aren’t, and that’s unfortunate for those clubs, but it’s a super long season and can’t wait for it to start.”

Originally published as AFL boss Andrew Dillon will compare pre-season injury lists before making any calls on season length