A radical fixture revamp that potentially includes a playoff series to qualify for finals spots remains firmly on the AFL's agenda.
However, is not expected to be in place for 2018.
The AFL Commission was given an update last Friday by the working party set up to examine possible fixture changes.
The next phase is likely to seek input from key parties on issues including fairness, logistical considerations and the commercial implications of change.
AFL Media understands that process – which would need to involve fans, clubs, venues, players and broadcasters – would push the timeline beyond a change being possible for next season, however it indicates how seriously the AFL is taking the issue.
The initial idea has been to begin a play-off series based on club's ladder positions after 17 rounds, with the next five games determining whether teams qualify for finals and where their draft pick would be for the following season.
However the 17-5 proposal is just one of a range of options, with the working party open to re-setting the competition at various stages to provide a fixture that retains credibility while adding to the unpredictability of the season.
That working party, involving AFL and club representatives, has been examining the massive logistical and commercial implications of a change, with clubs keen to retain 11 home games and as many blockbuster games as possible.
It is also grappling with incentives for clubs that finish the initial season near the bottom of the ladder, as well as the issue of the right number of games to be played before a reset occurs.
The fixture revamp has been on the agenda for several seasons, with the clubs putting it on the back burner in May 2015.
However they have been happy for the AFL to examine potential systems in detail, with attendance and television figures showing the importance of keeping clubs' seasons alive for as long as possible.
History shows very few finals places change after round seven, and crowds and commercial opportunities decline for clubs when they drop out of the finals race.
Already in 2017, there are six clubs with no more than one win after five rounds, with history suggesting they are unlikely to play finals this season.
At the launch of this year's draw in October, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, said, "There is no secret that I think there is an opportunity to improve that fixture.
"The issue is making sure we get all the upside of the improvements and mitigate the downside."
