MCG's radical plan to start the AFL season

AFL clubs are hopeful capacity crowds will be allowed at Melbourne grounds from the start of the 2021 season.

The AFL last month confirmed a return to a 22-round season kicking off on March 18 with Richmond beginning its title defence against Carlton at the MCG.

It's anticipated the first two rounds of the draw could be revealed before Christmas, with Melbourne Cricket Club boss Stuart Fox explaining that while crowds of 50 percent capacity at the MCG are likely, the possibility exists for larger numbers.

"Hopefully we are talking 75 percent," he told SEN.

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"Who knows, even 100 percent return to crowds.

"Let's have our fingers crossed that we can start the footy season in a really positive manner, because it's been pretty dormant in Victoria for some time in terms of the AFL landscape."

Although the full draw isn't expected to be released until February, as the code prepares for another pandemic-impacted season, Fox expects an early reveal of the opening rounds.

"We might hear an early release before Christmas of the first few rounds. I think that's a wise choice, because if we do have restrictions, it gives them the flexibility to move things about," he said.

"I've had a few chats with Gill (McLachlan) on his thoughts. It's really complicated, the footy season, because the clubs actually pre-sell reserved seats.

"And when you do that in advance, it's going to be very difficult, because if you've sold 30 or 40,000 pre-reserved seats to games for members and we have to socially distance next year, that could present some challenges."

Meanwhile, MCC members will be able to drink alcohol in their seats at the Boxing Day Test, for the first time in the MCG's history.

News Corp reports that as part of the COVID-safe protocols, all drinks sold at the bar will be takeaway.

It's a break from 160 years of tradition at the MCG, which has always prevented members from drinking in their seats.

The Boxing Day Test against India is expected to have a crowd of around 25,000 per day, the first major sporting event in Melbourne to have a crowd of that size since the second wave hit.