The AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) sent a strong message to the AFL by staging an historic mass meeting over a pay claim, but the players stopped short of threatening strike action.

About 400 players attended a 90-minute meeting in Melbourne and another 300 were involved via video links in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Adelaide.

"I want to emphasise that strike action is the last things on players' minds," AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said after the meeting at Crown Casino.

"Players very clearly indicated to us their commitment to securing a partnership agreement with the League whilst continuing to play football for their fans.

"The players want to be dealt with fairly and with respect."

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou is opposed to the AFLPA's demand for 25-27 per cent of AFL revenue to be locked in for players.

Demetriou said on Wednesday he believes players are entitled to their fair share of the new $1.253 billion TV rights deal.

But he added while players deserved a pay rise, it should not be tied to revenue.

Demetriou said the AFL faced a balancing act between its stakeholders.

"Getting that balance right and speaking to each group to get them to understand that here's a pot of money that's available, here's what your fair share is, and we don't link that to percentages, we link that to what's fair," Demetriou said.

"Whilst we're looking after the players I must continue to invest in grass roots football. I must continue to put money into Auskick programs and facilities and work with governments to develop school sport."

Finnis said the players felt the AFL's proposals to date had failed to address the key objectives of their claims.

The players voted to back the AFLPA's bid to seek a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the AFL.

"If a satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved, the association is instructed to explore and, to the extent it considers appropriate, utilise the rights and process available to players under the Fair Work Act to facilitate an agreement being concluded."

AFLPA president Luke Power said players had never come together before in such a show of unity.

"What came through strongly tonight was that players want to enter into a true partnership with the AFL and to get to this point we need negotiations that are based on respect for the contribution which players make to the game," Power said.

Finnis said June 30 had been set as a nominal deadline but the AFLPA remained committed to seeking a new CBA before the current one expires at the end of the 2011 season.

"The players are committed to continuing to play footy for their fans for the duration of the agreement and beyond," Finnis said.

"The reason why the players have asked to affirm that position is because inevitably there is a lot of talk about strike action and strike action is not on the agenda tonight.

"Players could not be more committed to playing footy for their fans and their clubs and they'll continue to do that."

The AFLPA wanted to ensure that being an AFL player remained the "number one sporting career for young men in this country for years to come", Finnis added.

Finnis said the players were seeking a three-year deal.

Demetriou has claimed AFL players are receiving "mixed messages" on the pay issue.

Finnis hit back by saying: "We think there's been a lot of misinformation.

"There has been a portrayal of aspects of our claim which are different to the reality," he said.

Finnis declined to nominate what options were available to the players through the Fair Work Act. He said he didn't want to negotiate through the media.

"We're certainly committed to getting back together (with the AFL) but we haven't put a firm date on that," Finnis said.

Essendon ruck great Simon Madden addressed the meeting as a representative of the past players.

Power said the AFL chiefs were highly skilled with negotiations, as they had shown in the past.

"There's no anger towards the AFL. The AFL are doing their job," he said.

"We want a fair resolution and to represent our players properly, we need to explore all avenues."

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