Pendlebury, one of the game's best players, said it did not make sense for the AFL to follow the lead of the NFL and other US sports in several areas of administration yet not adopt their player-payment model.

The AFL Players' Association and the AFL have opened negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The AFL, as was the case in negotiations five years ago, do not want a fixed percentage model.

"The AFL obviously models themselves off world sport, NBA, NFL, looks at them as the benchmark," Pendlebury said. "The common theme of all those sports is the percentage revenue – the game grows, so does the players.

"The PA and the guys on the board are, obviously, in the trenches with that and, as players, you are just supporting that, but to me it makes sense. Clearly everyone is going to go, 'you are a player, you are going to think that'. Of course, you are going to think that. But I find it funny that [the AFL] are going to look to a sport to benchmark things, but then just ignore other things.

"With free agency coming in, they [AFL working party] went for trips over to America to explore and have a look at how it works."

The players are after a set percentage of between 25 and 30 per cent of most revenue streams, including broadcast rights and sponsorship. As it stands, they receive about 21 per cent of revenue, with annual increases set in advance.

Under the players' model, they would earn less if revenue dipped but could dip into their retirement fund to make up the shortfall.

Player pay is about $11.4 million per club this year, including additional service agreements. The average wage is about $270,000.

PA chief Paul Marsh was instrumental in Australia's top cricketers brokering a set percentage deal with Cricket Australia – and this helped him win the top job for AFL players when predecessor Matt Finnis left.

Pendlebury said the set percentage model had worked well in the US.

"You've got something that's been there for a long time. I don't think the NBA and NFL have gone back since they have done it," he said.

"In the past, they [AFL and PA] have obviously come to an agreement but this is the big one because I am assuming if it doesn't get up this time, it never will. I think the players know that."

Asked if there was a legitimate chance the players could strike over this, Pendlebury said: "You can never say never. I think it would be a last resort if it ever got to that but ... there are some smart people sitting at the table. I think it will be get worked out and will be something both parties will be very happy with ... if the game is growing at such a rate because of the spectacle we are putting on, it makes sense – everyone gets rewarded."

The AFL argued ahead of the last CBA deal that the set percentage would not work as the league had a responsibility to develop the sport from grass roots to the elite level - something US leagues don't necessarily have.

The NFL is an overwhelmingly privatised league dominated by billionaire franchise owners who have a responsibility largely to their own franchise - and growing their own personal wealth.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said last week there had not been "too many speed bumps" during negotiations, which had been progressing "alright".

He said he hoped to have a deal struck "the sooner the better", reaffirming a desire to have this done in June or July.

The CBA will also delve into improving welfare services for players, with a push for more psychological and medical services to be excluded from under the football department cap.