Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse sees no reason why the AFL should play games on Good Friday, but a big turnout just to watch North Melbourne training has re-ignited the debate.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has repeatedly rejected calls for the league to schedule a Good Friday match.

But calls are growing louder, especially with the NRL moving into the AFL-free Etihad Stadium for a Good Friday clash between unbeaten heavyweights Melbourne and St George Illawarra.

The Storm's match was effectively the only game in town on the first day of the Easter holiday.

North Melbourne is the AFL club most vocal about hosting a Good Friday match, hoping to set up a blockbuster in the footy-free zone to rival Collingwood's Anzac Day or Queen's Birthday holiday matches.

A crowd of more than 1,000 watched a short Kangaroos training session at Arden Street on Friday, well above the attendance for most sessions and even topping the turnout for their pre-season family day.

But Malthouse, whose team also trained on Good Friday ahead of their Saturday clash with Melbourne at the MCG, said he didn't believe there was a need to schedule a regular match on the day.

"It's a dilemma. We're training today, but that's because it's our routine," Malthouse said.

"What is left of the old system of our heritage, our religious beliefs? The more and more you eat into them, there's no going back.

"In Christian beliefs, it's one of the most important days of the year.

"I'm not convinced one way or the other (whether to play on Good Friday). But I'm certainly not worried there's no game today."

North Melbourne believe the bumper turnout for their Good Friday training session adds further weight to their push for an AFL match on the Christian holy day.

Kangaroos midfielder Liam Anthony said the club would continue to press for the concept and hoped the fan support would help sway the league.

"It's a very good turnout today, it just shows that Good Friday people want to come out and watch the footy," Anthony said as fans thronged players after training.

"It's up to Andrew Demetriou and the AFL, but obviously the Kangaroos and our board are trying to construct a game on Good Friday."

Good Friday is also the day of Channel Seven's traditional Victoria-wide telethon which raises millions of dollars annually for Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.

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