The AFL has increased the age limit in the elite junior pathways from under-16 and under-18 to under-17 and under-19 for 2021 and beyond.

The AFL and AFLW draft age however has remained at 18.

It is welcome news for Wimmera youngsters Dane Stewart and Gage Wright, who both appeared set to miss out on their top-age year in the under-18 system.

Stewart, who plays for the Warrack Eagles, was selected in the Rebels side for the first time this season.

He said he was pleased to hear the news.

"It's great. I was obviously hoping it would happen but I wasn't sure. It gives everyone a second chance for next year which is great," he said.

Stewart, a year 12 student, said he was planning on taking a gap year next year and remaining in the region.

He said having the new changes would give him extra motivation.

"It gives you something to really look forward to," he said.

"I was getting very keen for it this year, working really hard, but I basically stopped after the season got cancelled.

"This gives you something to work toward.

"It's going to be a bit different because everyone is going to be 19, a bit bigger and a bit stronger.

"It'd be great if I could put on a bit of weight, and hopefully go a bit better next year."

It was also a crucially important year for Wright, Horsham Saints, as he missed most of the 2019 season with the Rebels through injury.

"It's worked out very well for us," Wright said.

"I had sort of heard rumours that they might make the change. I guess I was a bit relieved when I heard about it.

"I just thought, 'you beauty'."

Wright said it felt like a fair decision from the AFL, to help the hundreds of youngsters in his age group.

"I felt like we would have been very stiff if they didn't bump it up," Wright said.

"Something you really look forward to is your top-age year.

"For Dane and I, I barely played last year, and Dane wasn't in the team, so pretty much neither of us have had a look in at all.

"There would be a lot of other players in the same circumstances. They would be pretty stiff if they didn't get the chance to show their potential and have a proper crack at it."

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Wright had been diligently following a fitness program since the Rebels season was cancelled, with the hopes of either impressing at a local level or moving onto a state-league competition next year.

He said however that being available for the Rebels for another season would give him extra motivation to continue training hard.

"It's going to keep me a bit more motivated knowing I can have a red hot crack at it next year," he said.

"Instead of coming back to play some local footy, you can get that bit more excitement knowing you're going to get watched by AFL recruiters and stuff.

"It definitely gives you that bit more of a drive."

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