MORE than 70 per cent of AFL coaches believe players should be able to talk to rival clubs during the season, but not all would continue to select them if they were caught.  

The issue of in-season meetings with rival clubs came to the forefront in July after it emerged out-of-contract Western Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong had toured Collingwood's facilities.

Hawthorn triple-premiership midfielder Brad Hill also put the issue in the spotlight when he met with Fremantle coach Ross Lyon last month.

Only one coach believed players should not be able to speak with rivals in season, with another four saying they did not care. The majority (13) said players should be granted freedom to explore their opportunities.

When asked if they would continue to select a player who met with a rival club, 10 said they would and one said he wouldn't. Seven said they would, but "only if he could help us win".

Coaches were keen to have more power when it came to player trades, with 11 declaring the game's stars should not be able to veto trades if they didn't want to join an opposition club.

More than 60 per cent (11 coaches) said players' salaries should not be made public.

The AFL Media annual coaches' survey, facilitated by the AFL Coaches' Association, was conducted in July. All 18 senior coaches took part in the anonymous online survey, although not all 18 answered every question.