Murray Bushrangers to play more Ovens and Murray matches after league cuts

With the competition likely to be cut from 18 to 12 home and away rounds, Murray Bushranger players will be free to return for a mid-season block as well as potentially finals.

The move comes as the AFL slashes spending to cope with the changing landscape caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Murray Bushrangers will retain only two full-time staff members - talent manager Mick Wilson and head coach Mark Brown - with the pair returning to work this week.

Brown will coach the under 17 and 19 boys and under 19 girls.

Several other existing staff members will be contracted.

Female talent coordinator Briana Cossar was among the casualties in the restructure.

The Bushrangers will still have access to high performance staff, doctors, physiotherapists and welfare officers while assistant-coaches will be put in place to assist Brown.

"It's a major reset in regards to how we will look in 2021," Wilson said.

"Unfortunately with COVID-19, things have changed and it has affected us by losing some very good people who have done fantastic jobs.

"Briana Cossar and others have been incredible.

"We are still in a position to offer a high quality development program but it will be structured slightly different."

Players who made the final squads this year will be invited back into the 2021 pre-season program.

The competitions have changed from under 16 and 18 to under 17 and 19 to compensate for this year's season being abandoned.

List sizes will be smaller due to less matches being played.

While Wilson said the reset had affected many in the industry, he believes players being able to return for more club football is a huge positive.

"I think it's a really good thing," Wilson said.

"It's win-win.

"It's a positive move as it allows players to develop more of a sense of connection and belonging with their local clubs as well as spending time in our development program."

Pre-season starting dates are set to be confirmed in coming days.