The AFL has revealed it has a "date in mind for the resumption of play" but will await the outcome of a national cabinet meeting on May 10 before making it public.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan on Monday wrote to all clubs reiterating that the week beginning May 11 would be the timeframe for an announcement of plans.
In a long memo, McLachlan confirmed a hub, or hubs, would be used to restart matches, which were suspended after round one due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We remain really optimistic about completing the remaining 144 games plus finals and we know that the hub model gives us our best chance of being able to continue with the season once we start," the memo read.
"… hopefully we might end up starting with a hub model and finishing with teams able to fly interstate without the need for a quarantine period."
All state governments and territories are actively working with the AFL in the hope of hosting clubs in hubs.
Whichever venues are chosen, accommodation for players will be within a 60-minute drive of venues.
It was revealed last week on AFL.com.au that hub options in Victoria include the Mornington Peninsula, Surf Coast, Macedon and Yarra Valley.
The Gold Coast region is also firming as a hub option.
"We hope to have that work done by next Monday before moving to formalise government, venue, accommodation, and broadcaster agreements next week and – as flagged on Friday – an announcement in the week starting May 11 following the meeting of the national cabinet on May 10," McLachlan wrote.
"We still have a date in mind for the resumption of play but – again – we are working closely with the government and the chief medical health officers through this period and we will await for their sign-off before formalising the date."
The memo also broadly referenced the costs of the hubs, as well as considerations being applied to families of players.
"It is going to be really important to have the right mental and emotional health support as well as physical support and the ability where possible to allow players as much freedom of movement within a village/hub as possible," the memo read.
"The players have been fantastic but we also know this is not a normal situation for them or their families or anyone in the game, including our supporters."