'Crazy' reason coaches 'weren't happy' with AFL move

Caroline Wilson has slammed AFL clubs for failing to prepare their coaches to speak about gender-based violence in the round eight post-match press conferences.

Before all nine games across round eight, clubs stood arm in arm in the centre circle to shine a spotlight on gender-based violence.

This initiative was the brain child of West Coast CEO and former Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke.

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On top of that moment's silence, all 18 coaches were handed similar scripts to recite in their press conferences.

Now, in the wake of the gesture, Wilson has revealed coaches weren't happy being put on the spot.

"The AFL's well-intentioned stand against gender-based violence was always going to hit some hurdles given the game's dubious past in this tragic social problem," Wilson said on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night.

"How is it that so many senior coaches only learnt minutes before their post match press conferences, that they had been provided with scripted comments by the AFL to make about violence against women?

"Many coaches were not happy. Some didn't enter into the conversation at all.

"I commend what the AFL did, but I just think that it was crazy. It was on the clubs not to communicate this (messaging) to their coaches and to throw it at them just before they went out to speak to the media."

Meantime, Wilson also questioned how the AFL failed to remember that the weekend they took a stand against gender-based violence, Wayne Carey – who has previously been accused of domestic violence – was being recognised by the sport.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon made a call to Carey on Friday morning, informing the North Melbourne legend that he personally decided to prevent the elevation to legend status at a Sydney event that night.

The CEO expressed concerns about the move considering the previous allegations against Carey.

"How is it that the AFL did not know that Wayne Carey was going to be made a legend in the NSW Hall of Fame?" Wilson asked.

"That was miscommunication of the highest order."

The league did step in to block Carey from receiving the honour.