Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says he would not be surprised if AFL opponents were eavesdropping on his match-day coaching instructions.

Eade's comments come after revelations that the Dogs' radio communications between their coaches' box and interchange bench had been hacked into, taped and offered for sale.

He said he had been suspicious of similar behaviour during his previous role as Sydney coach and suspected that opposition sides would use pretty much any means available to gain an edge.

"There's no doubt in my mind that it happens," Eade told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Wednesday.

"I shouldn't say no doubt, certainly while I was in Sydney I thought it and you go to some grounds and you worry about the box being bugged at opposition grounds.

"So it wouldn't surprise me at all that bugging goes on and obviously directional mikes you can't stop, you don't even have to bug ... there's no doubt it goes on."

While other clubs use more secure digital communications system that are encrypted, the Bulldogs have a cheaper analogue system, which Eade said needed upgrading.

He said he did not feel the sporting goodwill of other clubs provided enough of a safeguard against them seeking a strategical advantage.

"I don't think that (goodwill) would hold that firm under the pump," Eade said.

"I think you have to cover your bases and work ways around it, work out ways it doesn't actually happen.

"... As I said when I was coaching at the Swans I was always concerned at certain grounds that there seemed to be a quick reaction to any move we had.

"In fact (opponents) already knew about it, so there's always that thought in my mind.

"So it certainly doesn't surprise me, but as communication systems and technology advances, from a defensive point of view you've got to be better as well.

"Certainly from our point of view we'd obviously like to update as quick as we can to get an encrypted system."

He suggested if the Bulldogs did not act fast, their technological vulnerability could prove costly.

"You know that it goes on, so I think as a club and organisation we've got to now work ways that it can't be listened into," he said.

"On grand final day, you'd hate to think it would cost you a game when a move was predicated and actually didn't give you the advantage you hoped."

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