The AFL has briefed clubs on the long-running player pay negotiations as a new deal looms.
The AFL's progress is in stark contrast to Cricket Australia, whose pay talks with the players are deadlocked.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan would not go into details about Thursday's briefing, but he remained upbeat about a resolution.
McLachlan said on the weekend that a deal could be finalised within weeks.
"Negotiations are ongoing - we gave an update about where we are," he said.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"There's been progress in the last weeks, but we are ongoing.
"It's a pretty confidential process and it's not appropriate really to talk until we're done."
He added the AFL reaffirmed to the clubs that the league would pick up any increases in total player payments and the additional services agreement under the new pay deal.
McLachlan said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on cricket's pay dramas.
"All I'd say is what I've said every time we've met: that the players deserve a fair deal," he said.
"We will negotiate as best we can to make sure they get a fair deal, a deal that works for them, but is in the context of our clubs, our supporters and community football."
