RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has pleaded with the umpires to "let the players play".

Hardwick appeared to approach the emergency umpire at three-quarter time, upset with a late decision to award Sydney star Lance Franklin with a 50m penalty that resulted in a goal.

Alex Rance had smothered Franklin's shot on the stroke of three-quarter time, though was adjudged to have encroached on the mark – which led to the 50m penalty.

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The goal brought Sydney to within 10 points of Richmond going into the final term, but the Tigers were able to withhold the visitors' surge and claim a satisfying 26-point win.

Asked whether the 50m penalty that gave Franklin the third of his four goals was the source of Hardwick's frustration, he replied: "Frustration is a kind word."

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A total of 43 free kicks were awarded in an entertaining game of footy, with the AFL reverting back to three umpires this week – having trialled four across the past fortnight.

However, despite praising the four-umpire trial, Hardwick suggested those officiating the game should stop searching for free kicks and only pay the obvious ones.

"Just let the players play," Hardwick said.

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"I'm a big advocate for the four umpires, I just don't think we've got the positioning right of those four umpires.

"If free kicks are there, let's pay them. But let's not be inventing free kicks that aren't there."