AFL allows coaches to be paid outside of soft cap

A percentage of the salary of coaches like Alastair Clarkson can now be paid outside the soft cap. (Linda Higginson/AAP PHOTOS)

AFL clubs have got their wish and will be able to pay senior coaches up to 20 per cent of their salary outside the soft cap from next year.

The AFL has also lifted the cap on football department spending by $250,000, bringing the limit to $7.275 million.