AFL UMPIRES have encouraged teams to be clearer in nominating their ruckmen at each contest after several free kicks were paid across the opening round.
With a third man up at ruck stoppages outlawed from this season, the rule requires a player from each side to put their hand up for each ruck contest.
Umpires assistant coach Michael Jennings said clear communication from the players would make the umpires' jobs easier.
"We're asking the players to nominate, be proactive and help us out in this situation so everyone know who the ruckmen are," Jennings told AFL.com.au's Whistleblowers program.
"The umpires will ask, but it's up to the players to nominate who will be the designated ruckman in each situation."
Hawthorn's Ty Vickery was penalised after field umpire Shane McInerney believed midfielder Billy Hartung had nominated himself as the Hawks' ruckman after Vickery arrived late to the contest.
When quizzed on the Vickery incident, Jennings said McInerney was 100 per cent right in penalising the Hawk big man.
"In this case the umpire asked numerous times for a Hawthorn player to designate and then finally Hartung did designate," Jennings said.
"So when Vickery comes in late, the umpire has seen Hartung was the initial ruckman who nominated, so he then paid the correct free kick."
Other incidents discussed on the opening round edition of Whistleblowers also include:
- A ruck designation free kick against Swan Luke Parker
- A deliberate rushed behind penalty against Crow Daniel Talia
- A reset of play after Carlton's Jacob Weitering played on in confusion after taking a mark
