The AFL has moved to clear any confusion at clubs around its mandate to appoint full-time psychologists in AFL and AFLW programs.

The league yesterday held a zoom meeting with respective heads of football, telling them it won’t be forcing them into hiring new psychologists in the short-term.

Instead, it will entrust Dr Kate Hall - the AFL’s head of mental health and wellbeing - to assess every club individually.

The softer approach comes only two weeks after the league revealed a suite of changes in the wake of the Elijah Hollands investigation, announcing it would “mandate clubs appoint a full-time psychologist within each of the AFL and AFLW programs, with industry consultation on related resourcing and policy requirements to commence immediately.”

Clubs were bemused by the new policy, with some believing they needed to find two full-time psychologists given the AFL and AFLW programs overlap.

Most deemed it an impossible task and one that could never be instituted.

Those contacted today said yesterday’s online meeting was, in-part, a concession by the league that it had acted too swiftly and too strongly in instituting a barrage of changes relating to improving healthcare standards.

Clubs have also now had it clarified that they can adopt a full-time equivalent with part-time staff.

Some told the league they weren’t happy to pay the money, but the AFL stated it was ready to provide support to make those appointments and also soft cap assistance.

Dr Hall’s audit of every club’s mental health structure will determine whether they have the appropriate amount of coverage and care.

The AFL told SEN.com.au that nothing had changed in its desire to strengthen mental health support at clubs and that yesterday’s meeting aimed to provide greater clarity.