While Scott described the system as a "distasteful" process that is detrimental to loyalty, acting AFLPA boss Ian Prendergast said free agency had been introduced "on a very conservative basis", and forecast that reducing eligibility from eight to six years' service would enhance its impact from a competitive balance perspective and give players more control over their destiny.

"We respect Chris' right to have an opinion but we also disagree with what he has said about free agency," Prendergast said. "Free agency is really about balance and providing players with that fundamental choice about where they play their football towards the back end of their careers.

"If free agency is set at six years, it strikes a better balance and will actually allow those clubs looking to develop their list the ability to sell a slightly longer-term vision to players at that stage of their careers."

Responding to Geelong's reported interest in out-of-contract Demon James Frawley, Scott was strident in his condemnation of the system, which was introduced in 2012 and through which the Cats secured Frawley's former teammate Jared Rivers.

"I don't think there are many people - maybe other than some of the players - that like free agency," Scott said. "I think all this is a little bit distasteful, and I think it's a bit disrespectful to the individuals involved."

Asked how he would combat the sort of industry conjecture that has seen Frawley touted as an $800,000-a-season prospect in search of a seven-year deal on football's open market, Scott said: "The easiest solution is to abolish free agency."

Scott also responded to former Demon great Garry Lyon's contention that his old club should make a move on Steven Motlop, saying the Cats were as well versed as any on the realities of the modern climate - not just in relation to player movement.

"Garry might have been in hibernation for the last four or five years, but Geelong's been attacked pretty hard - not just at a player level, but with its coaches, with its administrators, with a chef at one point. This is the era that we live in.

"We don't need to speculate on a hypothetical with Motlop because we've lived through it with (Gary) Ablett, we've lived through it with (Harry) Taylor, we've lived through it with (chief executive) Brian Cook and (football manager) Neil Balme and (assistant coach) Steve Hocking and (recruiter) Stephen Wells.

"We aren't in favour of it, but we understand that's the reality. We're trying to take a mature approach to it and move on."

Scott conceded that free agency was a complex mechanism. "But just from my simplistic view of it, I think that without free agency we would have more loyalty, and it would make it more difficult for players to cherry-pick the clubs they would like to play with."

Prendergast said any possible change to a six-year requirement for restricted free agency would not be introduced for at least 18 months.