The controversies surrounding Richmond duo Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones have split some of the league's biggest personalities, with North Melbourne champion Wayne Carey showing sympathy for the pair.

Both Stack and Coleman-Jones have been sent back to Melbourne following their strip club COVID-19 breach, with the pair both on the end of 10 match suspensions and the club hit with a $100,000 fine.

While many have publicly shown their disgust in the Tigers duo, Carey added some sympathy during Channel 7's broadcast following Thursday night's clash between Brisbane and Collingwood.

โ€œI know they made a big mistake, but I canโ€™t help but feel sorry for them,โ€ Carey said.

โ€œA huge, huge mistake, but I feel ill for them.

โ€œThey are under all sorts of pressure and will cop all sorts of criticism. Deservedly so, but I feel for them.โ€

Fellow Channel 7 panelist Brian Taylor said the punishments laid upon Stack and Coleman-Jones were far too lenient.

โ€œNo fine is big enough for what the players have done. And what they have done is put the entire competition under threat,โ€ Taylor said.

โ€œI feel like I say this every two or three weeks but the players, they simply are not learning.

โ€œWhat could you be doing outside a souvlaki shop after attending a strippers? I mean, come on.โ€