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AFL Coaches Association chief Mark Brayshaw says development coaches will feel the brunt of cost-cutting at clubs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

A "nasty percentage" of AFL coaches are worried about their futures with those in development roles most at risk, AFL Coaches Association chief Mark Brayshaw says.

Brayshaw believes development coaches will feel the brunt of reductions to coaching staff forecast for next year as clubs seek to cut costs in response to the coronavirus outbreak and season shutdown.

"A nasty percentage of our members are really going to bed every night worried about what lies ahead," Brayshaw told SEN SA radio on Monday.

"And in fairness to them, they all say this when I speak to them, 'lots of people in various industries are doing the same'.

" ... Depending on who you talk to there's going to be an awkward percentage of them that probably won't be coaches at AFL clubs next year.

"It's an unprecedented challenge in our industry and it's not much fun."

The AFL's soft salary cap, which covers coaches, could be reduced by $3 million next season with development coaches likely to be most affected in what Brayshaw predicted would be "a dramatic overhaul".

"They're the ones that are probably least certain," Brayshaw said.

"Because there's great speculation about what the state league competitions (will) look like.

"And these development coaches are typically those who don't have as much to do with the league senior team and are more invested in the youngsters."

Brayshaw said there were also concerns that those coaches that remain in the AFL system next season would have to do more.

"There will be a different challenge for those staff members, not just coaches, that remain - and the workload on coaches is significant during the footy season, it's hard to imagine how it would be increased," he said.

"I think the coaches who have got skill sets, multiple skills, are likely to be the ones that are the most attractive,.

"(Those) that have got an understanding of young people and can perhaps perform a welfare role, to use the old vernacular, as well as coaching are going to be very busy and in high demand."

The current AFL season has been suspended until at at least May 31.