In the wake of Carlton forward Harry McKay sucking 41 seconds out of Sunday's contest against Essendon during his set-shot routine, AFL football boss Greg Swann has indicated the league will look into ensuring players do not manipulate the rule to their advantage.

McKay marked the ball outside the 50-metre arc with 1:41 left on the clock in the final term, and immediately signalled to the umpire he was going for goal, although most would know he was wanting to waste time.

Swann flagged a potential rule change to ensure a repeat of the Blues go-ahead play doesn't occur.

"When you look at this, there's been suggestions - which we spoke about today - if you mark at 50 metres and beyond, you just get the eight seconds - you don't get that 30," Swann said on Fox Footy's AFL 360.

"But then there are all these situations where, for example, if you're playing in … an open stadium and you're kicking with a gale, he's well within his rights to have a shot from outside 50.

"Everyone knew what he was doing. He was going to take his time. Mind you, he can kick it a fair way.

“Whatever you decide to do, there's always an anomaly. We'll keep an eye on it.”

Loading matchup…

Swann wanted to make clear the AFL would not produce a knee-jerk reaction to the isolated incident, but he did state a potential change going forward when a player, who takes his 30 seconds but passes it 15 metres may be called to play on.

"We've talked today about that if you did that, then that would just automatically be play-on, and the game would keep going," Swann said.

"But that's not within the rules right as we sit here now.

"He (McKay) didn't do that (pass it short after taking his 30-plus seconds). We're talking to the umpires about it. We'll have a look."

Swann was also quizzed on the controversial Tasmania Devils stadium build.

“There's a couple of strong building companies that are tendering for it - that's really positive,” Swann said.

“Brendon Gale (Devils chief executive) was there and spoke in a bit more detail about how it's all tracking. It was very reassuring.”

Recent reports have indicated that the cost of the build could near $1.5 billion, which is grossly over the initial estimation ($795 million) of the project.

Swann suggested there may be "compromises" to the stadium if the cost does balloon out, but it won't affect the roof.

"We built a facility when I was at Brisbane, where, when they tender now, they actually do everything, you get the whole lot done, and then when it's signed off, they're working to a number. In the end, the number will determine what's in it,” he said.

"That might mean that there might be some compromises, but it certainly won't be around the roof … the roof is the non-negotiable part, but the rest might well be."

The Macquarie Point stadium is aimed to be completed for the beginning of the 2031 season.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION