The AFL have flagged an October grand final next season when Gold Coast join the competition.

The proposed draw has the grand final on Saturday, October 1 at the MCG, rather than the famous "last day in September".

The league announced they had written to their clubs and broadcast partners to outline the likely key dates for next year.

The complication is that the league's expansion from 16 to 17 teams will mean bye rounds.

Cricket commitments at the MCG, SCG and `Gabba will make it too hard for the AFL to start the season a week earlier.

Under the proposed schedule, the NAB Cup pre-season competition would start on the weekend of February 12 and round one of the home and away season will start on Thursday, March 24.

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