POACHING assistant coaches from clubs involved in finals will become a thing of the past if the AFL Coaches Association has its way.

As speculation grows that Carlton will appoint Hawthorn assistant coach Brendon Bolton as its next senior coach this week, six weeks out from the end of the season, AFLCA CEO Mark Brayshaw said clubs needed to be protected from losing staff on the eve of finals.

"I just don't think it can happen any more and I reckon we will look back in a year or two and say, how on earth did we contemplate or tolerate that," Brayshaw said.

"It just doesn't seem right and I don't think it will keep going for much longer."

Hawthorn says it will decide on Bolton's status if he is appointed by Carlton before the finals begin.

While Hawthorn supports Bolton's pitch for the Blues' job, it is aware that its preparation may be compromised if he doesn't continue as forwards coach.

Bolton also plays a significant role in preparing training and on match day.

Brayshaw told SEN the Association was preparing a submission to the AFL Commission that may bar clubs from appointing senior coaches before the season is finished.

"It was a very strong [message] from senior coaches I spoke to that it was absolutely unfair to a finals team to have their guy poached and it would never happen in the NFL, so that is a little project for us over summer," Brayshaw said.

The poaching of senior staff has become a significant issue over recent seasons and Hawthorn's football department has been hit harder than most, with Adam Simpson, Leon Cameron, Damien Hardwick and Luke Beveridge all graduating to a senior coaching job after working with Alastair Clarkson.

The Hawks are also missing assistant coach Brett Ratten, who is on indefinite leave after the death of his 16-year-old son, Cooper, in a car accident.

Brayshaw also said the association would push for coaches to have six weeks' leave under a standard agreement and would join the players' claim for a second bye to allow coaches to have a mini-break during the season to recharge and spend time with family.