Brad Scott believes the AFL's controversial move to restrict clubs to just one runner could prove counterproductive.

Aimed at reducing perceived 'clutter' and on-field coaching, the new rule will also limit the time officials are allowed on the ground. The North Melbourne coach says runners will just become fatigued and the opportunity to communicate with players will ultimately be reduced.  

"It's an interesting move to me. I didn't think we needed to go down that path," Scott told NMFC.com.au.

"Clearly the powers that be are keen to reduce the amount of officials on the ground. Interestingly, there'll only be the same number of officials, because there was only ever allowed to be one runner on the ground anyway.

"It seems to be a similar situation to the interchange cap. We are trying to fatigue our runner so he can't get out there as often. But in a game where you don't have time-outs and you only have limited opportunities to talk to your players, the runner is pretty vital."

Scott says teams who do the right thing are being disadvantaged.

"As a rule of thumb, I don't like to deliver a message that takes the runner longer than five seconds to deliver anyway, so as a club, we like to get the runners on and off very quickly.

"This has been a problem that has been exacerbated by some coaches and development coaches running. They tend to, rather than deliver messages, coach out on the ground.

"I think the AFL has made the correct move there in stopping that but in stopping that, they've probably penalised other clubs that are doing the right things in the first place."

Confident North can adapt to the change, Scott also sees it presenting further challenges.

"I'm sure we'll cope, but it's going to limit the type of runners we can use because they are going to have to be pretty fit," he added.

"It makes more sense to me to have fresh runners, so they can sprint on, give their message and sprint off. Now you are going to have a runner who's literally tired and can't get on and get off as quick as he used to.

"I hope we don't defeat the purpose of the rule change."