WITH North Melbourne in the market for big-money recruits, coach Brad Scott has called for a reduction in playing lists to make more cash available for star players.

Club are currently allowed a maximum of 40 players on their primary list, with an additional four on their rookie list.

With the Kangaroos reportedly tabling multi-million dollar, long-term deals to Richmond's Dustin Martin and Greater Western Sydney's Josh Kelly, Scott said smaller playing lists would leave more money for marquee players.

"Personally, I'd like to see list sizes come down a little bit, so the best players get paid what they deserve due to their impact on the game," Scott told SEN on Friday.

"I think very quickly it will become the norm where at least the best two players at your club are being paid around (one million dollars a season).

"I think a full-time playing list of around 30 with a fairly lengthy top-up list would allow more money for the absolute elite players.

"And then it would allow a significant opportunity for those in the (state leagues), if they're playing well enough, to get elevated onto a senior list in-season and potentially play AFL footy."

With the VFL's reserves competition – the Development League – to be scrapped at the end of this season, Scott has called on the game's administrators to sort out the pathway system for Victorian clubs.

The Development League has historically been used by AFL clubs with VFL alignments to condition and develop younger players in preparation for senior football.

"Basically there's only the VFL competition next year (for players not selected at senior level)," he said.

"If list sizes come down, where do you get your top-up players from if you have an injury run like we've got at the moment?

"We need to sort out the second tier first."

After empathically denying on Thursday the Kangaroos have been tanking to get the number one pick in this year's NAB AFL Draft, Scott believes a lottery system isn't required because orchestrating losses does more harm to a club's culture than good.

"I don't think we need (a draft lottery). If you're tempted to manage your list to influence draft position, that leaves more scars on your football club than a draft pick one or two positions better," he said.

"But with all the conversations around it, maybe the AFL in the long-term (could introduce a lottery) just to remove any discussion, so we're not talking about it."