The AFL Players Association is determined that next year’s loss of a bye round is a one-off.

The association’s player relations manager Ian Prendergast has joined the widespread praise of the fixture, noting the return to more traditional time slots.

But the league had to shorten the season because of cricket’s World Cup and dropped one of the two bye rounds.

“The players association has been a strong advocate for the provision of two byes per season – on the grounds of player health and welfare – and welcomed the introduction of an additional mid-season break this year,” Prendergast said in a statement.

“While we understand the practical difficulties facing the AFL fixture in 2015 given the cricket World Cup … we do however remain committed to the reintroduction of the second bye in 2016.

“We are continuing to work with the AFL to agree on additional measures to offset the impact of the lost bye and extended pre-season.”

AFLPA president Luke Ball said players unanimously wanted two byes during the 22-round season.