AFL admits ‘inconsistency’ on umpire dissent rule

The AFL admits there was inconsistency on the umpire dissent rule in Round 5.

But AFL footy boss Brad Scott says the controversial decision to award Geelong a 50-metre penalty on Monday after Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston reacted to a free kick given to Tom Hawkins was the correct decision.

Scott said the league had identified six non-decisions over the course of the weekend where the 50-metre penalty for umpire dissent should have been paid, but wasn’t.

He said the league was committed to stamping out umpire abuse at all levels of the game and would encourage umpires to strictly police the rule.

“I want to commend the players overall for the shift in behaviour, I think it’s been noticeable,” Scott said.

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)