On Friday, the AFL cancelled the end of the metropolitan NAB League as well as plans for the under-19 national carnival to be played in Melbourne which was scheduled for later this month in conjunction with a national NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The country-based NAB League teams could return to the field if regional restrictions are eased next week and plans are announced for regional community sport to resume.

"Even if we get to play one or two games at the start of October we'd be happy with that,'' Bendigo Pioneers' coach Danny O'Bree said.

"It gives the kids another one or two opportunities. We'd be fully supportive of that.

"If that can't happen then we turn our attention to 2022."

Prior to lockdown, the Pioneers were enjoying their most successful season in 18 years.

In 11 games they had a 6-5 record - their best start since they finished 9-9 in the 2003 season.

Despite the stop-start nature of the season and the inability to train as a group during lockdown, O'Bree said the Pioneers' playing squad still had the appetite to play in 2021.

"The players are very keen to get back ASAP,'' O'Bree said.

"If that opportunity does arise, the players would be ready to go.

"Ideally, restrictions would be eased on Monday and we'd be able to train on Tuesday and Thursday leading into a weekend game.

"I'm very confident with our playing group that they're working as hard as they would be if we were playing now.

"We're fortunate we have some very dedicated boys and we have full confidence in what they're doing."

The abandonment of Victoria Metro and Victory Country representative games hurts the AFL Draft prospects of the Pioneers' top-end talent.

"It's a blow, particularly considering they were going to have two Victorian Country squads,'' O'Bree said.

"Those games would have been a great opportunity for those who were fortunate enough to be selected.

"Bottom line is it's only footy. We've got people with health risks and other problems that are far greater than some games of footy.

"We're fortunate that we did get to play 11 games this year."

The annual Under-17 Young Guns game - played on AFL grand final day - has also been cancelled for 2021.

The Draft Combine will now be run as a state-by-state process, with the Victorian event scheduled for Sunday, October 10.

Invited players will take part in the 20-metre sprint, vertical jump and agility tests as well as the 2km time trial.

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