THE AFL Players' Association has called for match payments for players who miss a state league game because they are held over as an emergency for the senior team in case of a late withdrawal.

The association is concerned that players in such a situation are at a disadvantage when it comes to being selected for the next week.

This means the player misses out on a prospective match payment and also any potential games-played incentives that may be part of their contract. 

The situation only impacts players who are on contracts that include match payments or incentive clauses based on games played in a season. 

The issue has arisen as negotiations between the AFL and the players progress as part of the mid-term collective bargaining review. 

AFL.com.au understands the AFL is sympathetic to the idea that players who miss games in such circumstances should be rewarded, but could seek a compromise.

It is debatable whether a player who misses playing falls down the selection pecking order, but there is anecdotal evidence that it has happened. 

One option likely to be explored is that emergencies be paid a set rate every week – which may be less than a senior match payment - but if they don't play then no game is credited to them in relation to claiming incentives. 

Players often travel interstate with the squad as a back-up emergency and then fly back before the rest of the team to play a state league game. 

On occasion, players may miss a state league game in the afternoon to ensure they are available if a player withdraws late from a night game. Depending on the timing of games, that means players may, on occasion, miss altogether. 

It has long been a difficult situation for players on the fringe trying to force their way into the team, but few would pass up the opportunity of being an emergency with a real chance of playing seniors.  

In the most recent collective bargaining agreement signed off in 2012, players won the right to be awarded match payments if they were officially rested from the senior team. 

Clubs were also able to use 'rested' as a reason for a player missing a game.

The mid-term collective bargaining review is progressing quickly and parties are hoping many matters will be resolved before the end of April.