Good Friday football could shape as another piece of a lucrative new television broadcast rights agreement, meaning its introduction may be delayed until 2017.
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The AFL Commission announced last year it had approved a match on the holy day, with a general feeling among clubs that it would go ahead in 2016.
However, some clubs now think it may be delayed until the new broadcast rights agreement begins a year later, with the game being another incentive for broadcasters looking to secure a piece of what shapes as a five-year deal.
The stand-alone match on a day when businesses and schools have shut could add several-million dollars to the AFL's bottom line from a potential broadcaster.
This would create obvious synergy with Channel Seven, with a twilight match to work in closely with the network's Royal Children's Hospital appeal.
The AFL has only just started to discuss next year's fixture – with clubs preparing their own requests – and has yet to broach how best to handle the Good Friday possibilities.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said earlier this year he endorsed Good Friday football, provided it was introduced as a benefit for the Royal Children's Hospital appeal.
Andrews, a strong Essendon supporter, said community football was played on Good Friday and the break from a long-standing tradition could raise considerable extra funds for the appeal.
Carlton and North Melbourne lobbied last year to stage the match, while the Western Bulldogs have also expressed interest.
The AFL has said the match could be shared around, although it was hoped two clubs would eventually make it a tradition.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has suggested the match could be held outside Victoria.
"I think Sydney at 4.40pm might be a great slot up there or Gold Coast might be great," McLachlan said.
The Kangaroos have lobbied for Good Friday football since the late 1980s, but the AFL Commission had been reticent.
If North are successful, chairman James Brayshaw has said the Blues would be a good fit.
"They [Carlton] are a big team. To make a blockbuster work, you need to have a big team involved," he said.
Brayshaw has been critical of the AFL's fixturing this year, particularly its Friday-night schedule, in which the Blues were handed six matches in the marquee time slot.
After a tough year, the Blues expect to have about three Friday matches next year, although they remain a club that attracts strong ratings.
