A host of Canberra Demons players have linked up with AFL Canberra clubs ahead of the local competition's opening bounce on July 18 after the NEAFL was scrapped.

Demons officials are seeking clarity on the club's future amid concern the NEAFL will not return in 2021, with players opting to get their football fix elsewhere.

Alex Smout and Angus Baker have joined Eastlake, while Tuggeranong Valley have secured the signatures of Alex Paech and Adam Kinasch as fellow Demons enter discussions with Canberra clubs.

AFL Canberra's top-flight competitions are set to come through the COVID-19 pandemic relatively unscathed regarding playing numbers with all six clubs to field teams across the grades.

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Rugby league's Canberra Raiders Cup has been reduced to four teams with the Canberra Raiders under 20s joining the competition, while foundation club Easts have withdrawn from rugby union's John I Dent Cup.

However AFL Canberra and Capital Football's first grade leagues look set to boast their full complement when their seasons get underway in the coming fortnight.

A 10-round AFL Canberra season will begin on July 18 with a three-week finals series likely to wrap up with a grand final day on October 10. This covers men's and women's first grade, as well as men's second grade and Rising Stars.

"From the position we were in two months ago, to the positive place we're in now is really great," AFL NSW/ACT game development manager Luke Martin said.

"It really goes down to the clubs, they've kept in contact with their players, they've had individual training programs, connection pieces over time.

"Now they're back, I think people have missed playing footy and seeing their mates, and that speaks to the nominations and conversations I've had with clubs.

"From conversations we've had with clubs, they're looking really positive at the moment. We're pretty buoyed by it. I wouldn't see any changes to structure at this point so it's a good sign.

"Senior match day have got six teams and they're all in their contact training sessions now. They're all hooking into practice matches and getting ready."

Draft fixtures have been provided to clubs playing in men's third and fourth grade competitions, and the women's second grade league.

Both third and fourth grades have ten teams following ADFA's withdrawal, while the women's second division has nine teams with ADFA, Riverina and Cootamundra out. The draft fixture is understood to cater for a nine-round season with a three-week finals series.

Junior leagues will follow a similar format, with the opening bounce to take place on July 18, but they will likely boast a shorter finals series.

"They've been watching the footy on the weekends now the AFL is back, and they're champing at the bit to get back out there," Martin said.