Sydney Swans players will need to keep their wits about them for the rest of the season, with particular regard to the position of umpires, should they wish to spare their club a hefty financial sanction.
Stars Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden and up-and-comer Matt Roberts were each fined $1500 for careless contact with an umpire after instances of contact with the officiators in Thursday night's top of the table blockbuster against the Fremantle Dockers.
Each can accept a lesser penalty of $1000 with an early guilty plea.
Swan Angus Sheldrick was cited for the same offence in Round 2, taking the club's total to four infringements of this nature, this season.
The AFL have been cracking down on contact with their umpires. Just last month, the Gold Coast Suns were fined $20,000 for five offences in a given season, after Daniel Rioli made contact with veteran officiator Matt Stevic in his side's loss to the Cats.
The AFL had previously threatened fines of up to $50,000 for five or more breaches in a season, but exercised their discretion in handing down the lighter sanction.
The Swans join North Melbourne, Collingwood, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs on four sanctions, with the four clubs no doubt eager to avoid the hefty fine that would accompany a fifth charge.
