FOOTY fans are divided on the need for a sledging code.

In the wake of round eight's spiteful clashes between St Kilda players and Carlton captain Marc Murphy, we asked for your views on whether the game needed a players' code of conduct.

Fans were split nearly 50/50 over whether players should be sanctioned for 'personal' sledges about an opponent's private life.

Asked about a formal code of conduct governing on-field behaviour, 40 per cent were in favour of a code, while 60 per cent were against. 

Here we present a selection of your views on why a sledging code is or isn't needed.

'What happens on the field stays on the field' is just another excuse to allow bullying

People can't get away with that sort of anti-social and nasty behaviour in general life without some form of sanction. Why should AFL footballers be exempt? 'What happens on the field stays on the field' is just another excuse to allow bullying. It's just unacceptable behaviour in this day and age.

- Michael Cowman, Brisbane Qld

Sledging isn't competition, it's weakness

Psychologically beating your opposition with banter is not about sportsmanship. It's not harmless, it's a form of abuse and would not be tolerated in my business. I would fire staff for treating other staff that way. That's not competition in my eyes. It's weakness.

- Richie McNeill, Malvern Vic

Carlton and St Kilda players wrestle during round eight's spiteful clash. Picture: AFL Photos

If you have to stoop to personal remarks, get off

Things will get said in the heat of the moment in a body contact sport. If you have to stoop to personal remarks to get the best of your opponent, get off. Let your skill do the talking.

- Daniel Tucker Glebe NSW

This sort of behaviour sends an awful message

It's about time we move past the outdated belief that it's weak or feminine to take personal insults and sledges to heart and to be visibly affected by them. This sort of behaviour sends an awful message regarding mental health and good sportsmanship.  What happens on the field should not stay on the field.

- Zach Benn, Dianella

It's time for the game to grow up

The game needs to drag itself out of the 70s and 80s where highly personal comments were the norm. This is 2017, where society expects and demands much more. If the AFL wants female participation then it must ensure every base is covered.  St Kilda missed the opportunity to be a leader and sanction its players. The AFL hides behind its rules - grow up and become the leading sport in the nation across all aspects.

- Mike Harding, Lindisfarne Tas

Steve Waugh had it right

As Steve Waugh once said: it's not sledging, it's mental capitulation. If it gets under their skin then it has worked. Sport will always have sledging and very few things are off limits.

- Chris Hamilton, Brisbane Qld

It's football, not tiddlywinks

In the heat of battle comments are often exchanged by opponents. This has been and always will be the case. Players these days are slapped on the wrist for striking offences, so what penalty would be fitting for calling an opponent a bad name? Crikey, it's footy not tiddlywinks.

- Alan Hislop, Bunbury WA

Marc Murphy walks from the ground after Carlton's loss against the Saints. Picture: AFL Photos

'Any sport is 50 per cent between the ears'

If players can get the upper hand any way they can, they will take it.

We all make mistakes and if they say something they regret afterwards, they learn. We are already too hard on the players. An apology for a mistake should be enough.

It's a tough game played by adults. Let's not treat them like kids. 

- Spiro Kontis, South Yarra Vic

'The game has become sterile enough'

There are fewer and fewer characters in the game.  Sledging can make for a more heated and passionate game.  The current rules on racial and religious slurs are good and here to stay. I do think sexual references should have no place on the football field. This should be [enforced] at club level.

- Thomas Roberts, Edgecliffe NSW

This is peanuts compared to parliament

Compared to the vilification in parliament, the niggle on the footy field is a cakewalk.

- Harry Newman, Bundall Qld

What makes the footy ground different to any other place of work?

Players are employees under contractual arrangement with the AFL. What makes them different to any other place of work, be that a school, union, office, government, or retail place of work? Spectators come under a code of conduct by entering AFL venues and are sanctioned for crossing the line. So too should players for breaching conduct under their rules.

- Chris Aikman, Geelong Vic

If players wouldn't say it during a press conference, they shouldn't say it on the field

For better or worse, footy is now a billion dollar professional industry, and the players are the ambassadors for their clubs. That means they should comply with a code of conduct whenever they represent the club. If they couldn't say it during a press event or to a sponsor, they cannot say it on the field. Particularly when you consider that microphones on the field are becoming more prevalent. The old adage that what happens on the field stays on the field is no longer valid.

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- Dylan Hansen, Carrum Downs Vic

A players' code would be far too subjective

Gone are the days when you would be punished for taking sledging too far by getting knocked out. Now, players are left without any deterrence to do whatever it takes to put off an opponent. However, trying to codify the 'line' of acceptable sledging is far too subjective, and would never function effectively.

- Josh Edwards, Melbourne Vic

Code or no code, there will always be occasional incidents

This is a common sense issue, not something for more rules. If a player crosses the line they get thrust into the spotlight and criticised. This is rarely an issue, which shows peer and public pressure is enough. There will always be occasional moments of people crossing the line whether there's a code or not.

- Matthew Hocking, Adelaide SA

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