AFL Victoria announced the crowd cap in its updated return to training and games protocols over the weekend.

In contrast NSW clubs are allowed 3000.

The Saints are expected to have one of the biggest followings in the competition as they aim to snap a 51-year premiership drought.

They traditionally attract crowds of more than 2000 over Easter with 2750 attending against Wangaratta Rovers two years ago.

Wales questioned the Victorian government's decision.

"It's a bloody joke," Wales said.

"The thing I find the most interesting is that you are allowed to have 50,000 in the MCG and 1000 at Myrtleford.

"Yet Myrtleford is in the open space where people don't even sit together and can easily socially distance themselves."

Wales said it was also frustrating that the Victorian government seemed to have a one size fits all policy.

"For a start we have had zero cases in this area," he said.

"Yet everybody seems to be thrown into the same bucket as far as restrictions are concerned.

"It's not hard to realise that the country is a lot less populated than Melbourne.

"Why do we have the same restrictions in the country as there are in the city?

"I find it mind boggling to be honest.

"I understand these people have to make decisions but surely for the amount of money they get paid you would think they would have a bit more common sense."

Wangaratta co-president Col McClounan echoed Wales' thoughts.

"My main concern is that the decision has robbed the Victorian based O&M clubs of a level playing field," McClounan said.

"Obviously with different sized crowd caps on either side of the Border is creates inequities across the competition in regards to a clubs ability to generate the funds necessary to run a club."

Despite only learning of the crowd cap on Monday, McClounan said he had already explored several options on how to maximise crowds.

"I've been in contact with the league and apparently you can apply to the Victorian government to host crowds of up to 5000," he said.

"The only catch is that you have to fill in an 18-page application and it then takes the government six to eight weeks to process the application.

"That's something we're are still keen to explore.