Hawthorn great Don Scott says AFL players need to “learn” how to handle the media, calling for reporters to be given open access to players.

Scott said players shouldn’t have to get permission from club media officials to speak.

He told 3AW’s Footy: Then and Now podcast the current restrictions were only adding fuel to speculative stories, hypotheticals and opinions from talking heads, all of which seem to frustrate fans and clubs alike.

“I believe you people (media) should have more access to the players and you should be able to ring them as you’re ringing me and get an unfettered view of what’s going on,” Scott said.

“If a player makes a mistake, well he lives by that mistake.

“Then you wouldn’t have all these issues of North Melbourne (and Tasmania) and all these personalities involved, behind the scenes, that have no relevance, at all, to the game.”

Press PLAY below to hear Don Scott explain why it needs to change