Desperate to cut out dissent from the game,the AFL last month announced a raft of sanctions penalising players and officials for disrespectful behaviour to umpires.
Technically,players are not allowed to talk to umpires,but the league will have no issues if that is conducted appropriately.
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There were 10 instances of umpires paying free kicks or 50-metre penalties as the league unveiled its hardline stance in last week’s practice games. There is a distinct possibility the application of the new rule will occur in key moment of games.
“Where’s the line,how much can you talk? They’ll work that out,” McLachlan said on Thursday at the launch of the league’s Festival of Football.
“I know that the first couple of weeks we might have a bit of a lumpy start but it will find its rhythm. But people yelling at umpires from 20 metres away,that’s over. And the team will pay a price and players will adjust quickly because that’s what they do.
“People have been talking to umpires,certainly when I was playing,and I probably chatted to umpires a lot,there is absolutely a difference between conversations and respect and understanding - clarifying the rules and having a relationship with a player. I think that’s absolutely fine. That is different to abuse.