Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says the AFL must find a system to give punters a fairer go or consider banning betting on games.

Kennett said the league had to give thought on how to avoid situations like last week, when bookmakers twice suspended betting on the St Kilda-Hawks game because the Saints withdrew a raft of players.

St Kilda used the round to rest a clutch of their best players before the finals, which resulted in a betting plunge on Hawthorn.

Some bookies were annoyed that the only way they learned of St Kilda's plans to rest players was through the stream of money being wagered on the Hawks, who entered the game favourites despite the Saints being unbeaten. St Kilda won the game.

Kennett said on Friday night he had no problem with clubs managing their players, but said the AFL had to find a system where punters were not at a disadvantage.

Speaking before the Hawks-Adelaide game, Kennett told his audience - which included AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick - the league needed to address the betting issue or consider banning punting on games.

"If a team is managing its list then perhaps it doesn't give to the broader community a true reflection of the likelihood that they're going to win, draw or lose," he said.

" ... Somehow along the line we're going to have to work out some sort of system as to how we manage this issue with betting on AFL outcomes.

"If we can't find a reasonable answer, then I wouldn't be opposed to gaming not being part of the AFL if people can't bet with a true book in front of them."

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