The AFL’s leading players want representative football to be put back on the calendar in 2013 in the form of an All-Star game.

The AFL Players’ Association put the proposal to AFL football operations general manager Adrian Anderson on Thursday, requesting a response within a month.

Under the proposal, the pre-season competition would be reduced from a four-week format to three weeks, followed by an All-Star weekend and various other practice matches between AFL clubs, then a rest in week five on the eve of the home-and-away season.

Star players Brett Deledio (Richmond) and Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) both told Nine’s The Footy Show they would be keen to play in an All-Star game if it was introduced.

An AFLPA spokesman told AAP on Thursday night that a meeting had taken place earlier in the day and a number of options were being explored.

“We’re unable to discuss any specifics at the moment,” the spokesman said.