The head of the AFL remains confident there won't be any industrial action at Monday's Brownlow Medal count, despite a pay deal yet to be struck with players.

The players rejected the AFL's $1.144 billion pay offer over five years last Thursday, saying they want a three-year agreement, which would provide more flexibility.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on Wednesday there had been no further meetings or dialogue with the players' union since last week.

The players' union chief executive Matt Finnis has not ruled out industrial action, though he has admitted it would be highly unlikely.

Demetriou said the AFL Players' Association had assured the league there would be no action at Monday night's ceremony in Melbourne.

"I couldn't see anything happening," he told reporters at the MCG, where the Southern Stand $55 million upgrade will begin immediately after the grand final.

"We've been given an undertaking there will be no issue or action around the Brownlow or the International Rules (series), we've got the Irish coming out.

"I couldn't imagine that anything re the Brownlow, that is actually a players' award, would be any advantage."

Demetriou said he had yet to speak with Ross Lyon or Mark Harvey following the controversial dumping of the former Dockers coach, who had a year to run on his contract.

Lyon used an escape clause in his St Kilda contract to stitch up the lucrative four-year deal with Fremantle.

"Hopefully I will (speak to Harvey) in time through the coaches' association," Demetriou said.

"Mark is seeking some privacy for him and his family and I respect that."

Fremantle president Steve Harris said last Friday it was inappropriate for Demetriou to question Lyon's integrity.

Upon hearing the news that Lyon had been sacked by his management company after secretly negotiating to replace Harvey, Demetriou said: "I think people are entitled to ask questions about issues of commitment (and) integrity.

On Wednesday Demetriou said he spoke with Harris on Friday and he was shocked by the comments the Dockers' president made to the media.

"It certainly didn't reflect what was discussed in our conversation," he said.

"That was a pretty heated press conference. I wasn't there but you could see there was a lot of heat in the room."

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