THE ISSUE of players allowing the ball to cross the boundary line to win deliberate out-of-bounds free kicks will again be discussed when the Laws of the Game committee meets at season's end.

There have been a number of incidents this season, and the issue came into focus again on the weekend when St Kilda's Leigh Montagna allowed a handball from Tiger Brandon Ellis to roll across the boundary.

The Saints veteran was awarded a free kick in a decision deemed correct by the AFL umpiring department.

While head umpires coach Hayden Kennedy agreed it wasn't a good look, he was mindful of overburdening the umpires with another rule to interpret.

As the rule stands, players are entitled to let the ball go out of bounds without the threat of being penalised.

"It is something that has been discussed through the laws committee as to how this (rule should be adjudicated)," Kennedy told AFL.com.au's Whistleblowers program.

"It might not be to the spirit of the law, but according to the laws of Australian football, it fulfills the criteria of intentionally putting the ball out of bounds.

"If you tweak that particular (rule) you've got to think of the ramifications of it. 

"It's another decision the umpire has to make.

"It will be discussed through the laws committee which way to go."

Meanwhile, umpire Ray Chamberlain came into the spotlight after several of his centre bounces went awry during the Essendon and Western Bulldogs clash.

There had been concerns that the Etihad Stadium turf was the problem, but Kennedy conceded Chamberlain had an off night with the difficult discipline.

"I think it was probably a little bit of (technique and unsuitable surface)," Kennedy said. 

"It looks like he had a couple of (bounce) mistimes there, because another umpire there was banging them pretty well.

"He knows that is an area he can improve and he certainly works his butt off to get (his bounces) as right as he can."