Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich says Wednesday night's meeting of AFL players to discuss their push for a pay rise will be a "watershed" moment in the game's history.

Pavlich expects all 782 players to be involved in the Melbourne meeting, either in person or via video links to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

The AFL players' association (AFLPA) will report on the state of negotiations over the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and members will vote on their next step.

But Pavlich, who is on the AFLPA board, said they also wanted to physically demonstrate to the AFL the strength of their resolve.

"Another, more subtle, objective of the meeting, is to visibly show the vast unity and engagement which the entire playing group has on this issue," Pavlich said on Monday in a blog on the Dockers' website.

He said that show of unity would "represent a watershed and historic moment for AFL players."

The players and the league have so far been staunchly at odds over the AFLPA's push for a fixed 25-27 per cent of revenue to be locked in for players.

Pavlich said it was vital for the game's future that neither party ended up feeling "dudded" and both would have to give up some ground.

But he insisted that what the players were pushing for was "fair and reasonable".

"At club and AFL level, footy department expenditure and AFL revenues have increased hugely since 2006 when the last CBA was drawn up," he said.

"... The players want to make sure that our rewards are in step with the increases that the AFL has been able to achieve both for the game and as individuals.

"The argument that player payments should at least keep pace with the game and other football spending is paramount and warranted in our eyes."

He said it was important to note the share of revenue the players sought would cover not just salary increases, but also go towards an improved deals for rookies, injury compensation, severance payments and a retirement fund.

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