The AFL has cut 11 goal reviewers during the bye rounds in a bid to lift flagging standards in its goal-review process, as the league ticked off on its handling of the latest controversy amid scathing criticism from former greats.

The AFL confirmed it had cut the number of reviewers from 15 to four over the past fortnight after reviewing the performances of the officials in charge of adjudicating the maligned system.

The four are now being flown around the country to officiate the nine games each round, though it's unclear how rostering will work when there are five games on the same day, which will be the case from next round through to the end of the season.

The reputation of the goal review system is in tatters after a string of errors this season. There were reports this week the system was being run by AFL staffers, as opposed to specialists, which league chief Gillon McLachlan denied. They are being paid $250 per game.