Both Craig McRae and Adam Kingsley have downplayed any suggestion that their mid-game exchange was anything untoward.

During Sunday's contest that saw GWS run out eventual victors by 52 points, vision showed McRae and Kingsley engage after a 50 metre penalty was rewarded to Collingwood.

Tagger Toby Bedford was seen throwing Peis defender Reef McInnes to the ground, which the 2023 premiership coach "celebrated" as his club was making a charge back into the match.

"I was having a bit of fun with Kingers, an old mate of mine," McRae said post game.

"I was just stirring. I just said, 'We're coming', and he just had a bit of fun.

"He's a bit more fiery than me. I'm a bit more humorous.

"I like to celebrate all the little things. Nothing to it, if you want to make it a story, it's a nothing story."

Kingsley shared the same sentiment.

"I don't know if it was that confrontational. We were just having a chat about the game in general, he's a good man, 'Fly'," Kingsley said while conceding that clapping towards Bedford in part sparked the exchange.

"He's a really good man, he's a good mate of mine, so we were just having a discussion."

On Monday, Kingsley revealed on SEN what McRae said during the verbal stoush.

"He didn't say anything, to be fair," Kingsley said.

"There was no abuse or anything like that from Fly (McRae), at all. There wasn't much in it. To be frank, I didn't appreciate some of the cheering directed towards Toby, so I just felt obliged just to say โ€˜don't do that ... that's not on'."

"It's been blown up a little bit, but I don't know if there's a lot in it, to be fair."

However, following a review, McRae was handed down an official warning by the league.

"After reviewing the AFL match manager's report and speaking with both clubs overnight and again this morning, the AFL Football Department has warned Collingwood coach Craig McRae and reminded him of his responsibilities while coaching from the bench. No further action will be taken," the AFL said in a statement.

"McRae said 'well done' to an opposition player who gave away a free kick as he came to bench. GWS coach Adam Kingsley saw the interaction and then told McRae 'he was better than that', with McRae then sitting down.

"When on the bench or on-field, interactions between officials, coaches and/or opposition players need to continue to be conducted in a professional manner."

In last year's finals series, the AFL handed down Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley a $20,000 fine for his post-match altercation with Hawthorn players James Sicily and Jack Ginnivan.

The league have categorised the sanction as breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a) Conduct Unbecoming and the financial sanction will not be included in the club's soft cap.

Collingwood will gear up to face the Power at the MCG on Saturday night while GWS will take on Melbourne the following day.