AFL coaches are demanding urgent change amid genuine concern over the future of the position.
The League slashed the soft cap for football staff at the start of the COVID-19 lockdowns that forced the 2020 season to be suspended, and eventually reduced.
But nearly four years on from the last of the pandemic lockdowns, the soft cap is still nowhere near pre-COVID levels.
For 2025-27, the AFL increased the soft-cap limit from $7.275 million to $7.675 million, which in comparison to other key stakeholders of the game, pales in comparison.
"In my time in footy, I've never seen a coaching group more frustrated with a whole range of things," Scott said on Wednesday.
"That's not to do with umpiring, it's not to do with even relationships with the AFL. It's more the way coaches are regarded within the AFL. I've never seen a coaching group more disenfranchised with the way they're treated as a whole."
Scott continued to say that the AFL has soared into rare air, with new broadcast deals, record crowd attendances and viewership as it seeks to claim the no.1 mantle for sport in Australia.
And if things continue down this path, the game will lose great football minds to other areas or professions, as the risk-reward essence of the role isn't worth it.
"While the game is blossoming and the game is in great shape, the AFL have clearly said what their priorities are - and coaching and football departments are low on that priority list," Scott said.
"We won't only lose them, we just won't gain them," Scott said.
"Talk to the (AFL) Players' Association about pathways for players into coaching, and their feedback is solid - players don't want to do it. They see what the coaches are doing and they don't want to do that.
"They see the benefits in terms of the career in coaching versus the challenges it throws up, and they're voting with their feet and choosing not to pursue it.
"For the first time I remember ever in footy, that's happening, and that's been talked about and just disregarded as just a nonsense by the AFL.
"Well, it's happening. It's going to continue to happen."
Not long after Scott spoke, former Brisbane teammate and Pies premiership coach McRae shared the same sentiment.
"The soft cap, it's reached its boiling point in terms of our staff," McRae said on Wednesday.
"And it's not just coaches, it's our staff.
"And right now, there's a lot of loud voices. There's a lot of yelling, going 'What's going on?' ... there's a lot of staff that are working long hours, and they want to be rewarded for that.
"Hopefully, the AFL is listening."
It comes as AFL boss Andrew Dillon is still on the lookout for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help steer the game to clearer waters.
Like what Dillon did for former CEO Gillon McLachlan, the role of the COO will be to work with the clubs, including the coaches, ensuring a healthy relationship between the two.
"I have made no secret that relationships with the clubs is a key priority, and this role continues to reinforce the work the Executive team has already done," Dillon said.
"If we are to remain the number one sport in the country, then we need to work hand in hand with the clubs to deliver the best possible experience for our fans, our participants, our people across the industry and our partners."
It is understood that Dillon will target clubland to fill the void, with Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains and Fremantle boss Simon Garlick are the leading contenders.
