AFL General Manager Football Operations Mark Evans today said the Geelong Cats Football Club had been sanctioned $2000 for runner Nigel Lappin coming into contact with Carlton player Mitch Robinson during last Friday’s Round 12 match against Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

Mr Evans said the AFL had contacted the Geelong Cats earlier this week seeking an explanation for why Lappin had come into contact with an opponent late in the match, during a stoppage situation as the umpire was taking control of the game to prepare to bounce the ball.

"The AFL accepts that the Geelong runner stumbled after tripping on the foot of a Geelong player and inadvertently moved into the path of an opposition Carlton player, but all club officials must not put themselves in any position where they may interefere with the duties of an umpire or an opposition player’s role in the game," Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans said it had been decided a sanction of $2000 on the club was appropriate, with the amount to be fully suspended for a period of 12 months, taking into account a response from both the runner and the club and the club’s good record in this area.

Separately, Mr Evans said the AFL had contacted all clubs this week on the ongoing responsibilities of club runners, particularly when working around congested areas of the play, and was in the process of re-examining its guidelines.