AFL clubs will face possible fines of $50,000 if they bring players back from holidays for pre-season training before their leave periods have been completed.

The AFL on Thursday announced a four-part schedule of pre-season training starting dates for clubs.

Sides finishing ninth to 18th, plus those two clubs eliminated in the first week of the finals, will start pre-season on November 6 for first-year to fourth-year players.

The full playing list of those 12 teams will be free to begin their official pre-season training on November 18.

The competition’s top six sides will begin the summer slog on November 18 for first-year to fourth-year players and their full list will be back on deck on December 2 (barring injuries).

AFL football operations general manager Mark Evans said the league and the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) had reached an agreement around a revised structure for the compulsory break/annual leave period for all players in the off-season.

Club will be strictly monitored regarding their break requirements and sanctions of $50,000 for a first offence and $100,000 for subsequent offences could be applied for any club that breached the break provisions, Evans said.

“The issue of an adequate break for players from club demands has been an extremely important matter for the wider industry,” Evans said.

“The purpose of the revised agreement is to map out a more balanced approach to the compulsory off-season leave period, pre-season training and in-season training.

“Under the structure that will now be in place, clubs will still have flexibility and ownership around their particular training program while club player leadership groups will have the responsibility to set standards and adequately prepare players for the season ahead.”

A full two-week break for all clubs will be introduced across the Christmas period. Players must be given a minimum four-day break around the bye/split round during the season.