The AFL's 16 coaches are evenly split over whether players should receive third-party payments.

The payments, which are outside the salary cap system, are set to grow in importance when the league introduces a limited form of free agency in late 2012.

An AFL Coaches' Association survey asked the senior coaches if they agreed with players receiving payments outside the salary cap.

The AFL website reported that seven coaches opposed the payments, while another said the extra money favoured financially-stronger clubs.

The other eight coaches supported the payments.

It was revealed a few weeks ago that 114 players last year received a total of more than $2 million in third-party payments.

Half the coaches were also unsure whether free agency would benefit or harm their clubs.

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