LUKE Hodge has launched a stinging attack on Match Review Officer Michael Christian, saying the existing system was confusing and the AFL was going out of its way to fine players.
Hodge received a $2000 sanction for engaging in rough conduct with Gold Coast's Alex Sexton on Saturday night, which left the Brisbane veteran fuming.
The fine came for a tackle in the dying stages of the fiery QClash, assessed as careless and with low impact to the head.
Hodge said he was surprised but didn't stop there.
"I never thought I'd get fined for a tackle, especially when the bloke got up and kept playing," Hodge said.
"That's the frustrating thing for players, week to week the classification that gets judged is very inconsistent.
"Sometimes they look at the medical report, sometimes they look at the action.
"I did exactly the same tackle four minutes earlier.
"They said it was because of the force. Three minutes to go and you're up by seven points, you've got to take them to ground.
"It's confusing and frustrating sometimes.
"That's the AFL, they'll do what they want, and we'll have to move on."
When asked whether he would contest the fine, Hodge said, "What's the point?
"They pick and choose what they want to classify and you can't really argue against them.
"We can moan as much as we want but we just have to move on.
"Hopefully they fix that because a lot of people get really frustrated."
Hodge conceded Christian had a tough job, but said the system was not doing what it was designed to do.
The four-time premiership Hawk said it was introduced to stop players missing matches for low-level infringements, yet it had turned into a vehicle for simply fining players.
"A tackle here and there and some other stuff, they're looking to fine, it's almost like, who can we get, how much can we fine them?"
"I think they made $26,000 this week, let's hope that goes to charity and not back to the AFL."