COLLINGWOOD has been fined $5000 for the late lodgement of paperwork notifying the League of Brent Macaffer's return to the senior list from the long-term injury list.

Macaffer played for the club's VFL team a fortnight ago after 12 months on the sidelines following a knee reconstruction and replaced Corey Gault, who returned to the rookie list.

However the Magpies should have lodged paperwork indicating Macaffer's reinstatement to the list before that weekend's matches.

Unfortunately for Collingwood, an administrative error meant the paperwork was lodged incorrectly.

The AFL took into account the Magpies' good record in imposing the $5000 fine.