St Kilda star Brendon Goddard has invited Peter Costello to attend a school clinic with him after the former treasurer accused AFL players of doing community work solely to promote their club and sport.

Costello said parents "would quake in fear" at the thought players would be visiting their daughter's school.

His remarks in a Fairfax newspaper column, which suggested footballers were poor role models interested only in self-promotion, have caused widespread outrage.

"I think (Costello) should take responsibility and maybe come out to a school clinic," Goddard said.

"I'm inviting him to come next time we do one and see the influence that we have on kids and we actually enjoy doing it - we have a good time with it.

"The invitation's open."

A former No.1 ticket holder at Essendon, Costello wrote "footballers are not chosen for their moral principles".

"What are the clubs thinking when they send them to schools to give guidance on life skills?

"Motivating the students is the last thing the club or the league is thinking about," he said.

Costello's comments came in the wake of the scandal at St Kilda where a schoolgirl claimed she had sex with two Saints players.

She later posted nude photographs of other St Kilda players on websites.

AFL Players' Association boss Matt Finnis denied that clubs sent players out to schools, hospitals and rural communities simply for promotional purposes.

"They're going there because there are young people all over Australia who are wanting to play AFL football and they want to meet their heroes," Finnis said.

"To question the motives of players engaged in that kind of activity is really disappointing."

Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon said Costello appeared to be ignorant of the importance of the work of AFL players in the community.

"Peter was the No.1 man at Essendon for a number of years and he obviously hasn't been made aware of the enormous influence and impact that league footballers have when they've visited the schools," Smorgon told SEN.

"I think Peter's way out of line on this one."

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell was one of several AFL players to take Costello to task for his comments.

"Love to see the community work Costello has done in his lifetime. Made an absolute fool of himself!" Maxwell said on Twitter.

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy called Costello "arrogant."

"When you look at a guy like Peter there is a little bit of arrogance in the comments he does make from time to time," Sheedy said.

"We've got that many people in the AFL that should be in front of kids.

"To say that about one sport or sport in general is a very foolish statement by a person who should have more common sense."

Wests Tigers rugby league star Benji Marshall also derided Costello's opinion.

"He can say whatever he wants, it doesn't mean I agree with him," Marshall said.

"At the end of the day I don't really care what he thinks. For me, I know I'm a good role model and I'm here to promote not only rugby league but promote having a healthy lifestyle and that's the main thing."

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