AFL PLAYERS are dipping into their pockets like never before to pay for their involvement in melees in 2016.
This has happened despite the AFL warning clubs last week it would prefer melees to stop rather than to be fining players.
After nine rounds, 41 players have contributed $47,000 to AFL coffers, the first time the figure has topped $40,000 in the first nine rounds since 2004.
Last week the AFL collected $13,500 for melees involving players from Port Adelaide, West Coast, Essendon and St Kilda despite reminding every club such incidents were on the increase in the now famous memo sent out to clubs last week.
Such was the AFL's concern with the increase in such incidents, the memo asked clubs to "remind your players of these sanctions and inform them we would rather see a reduction in the number of melees than imposing fines."
Port Adelaide midfielder Hamish Hartlett has spent $4000 "flying the flag" this season, having being the only player fined twice for their involvement in a melee with both Essendon and Port having had players involved in melees twice this season.
He was fined for being involved in melees after teammate Tom Jonas knocked out West Coast's Andrew Gaff last week and the quarter-time melee that erupted against Geelong when Jonas cannoned into Patrick Dangerfield and Jasper Pittard knocked over Tom Ruggles.
The current running total for involvement in melees after nine rounds is higher than at the same time last year when $35,500 had flowed into AFL House in the first nine rounds.
It is also on track to match the $75,500 collected from players – who happen to be arguing for more income in this year's collective bargaining agreement – in 2015.
The totals could have been even higher because no one was fined for their involvement in a melee after Gold Coast's Steven May knocked the Brisbane Lions' Stefan Martin out cold in round four.
On that occasion no one instigated or engaged in a melee, they just flew the flag in what can only be described as a non-fine attracting manner.
In four of the previous seven seasons, including as recently as 2014, the AFL did not have to fine one player for an involvement in a melee.
Fines can vary for individuals depending on the number of times players have been involved in melees or if a player is cited as the instigator of a melee.
Clubs were also warned ahead of round nine to remind their players they could be fined for wrestling with six players fined for that charge leading into round nine.
Despite the reminder, four players still engaged in wrestling in round nine and were fined $5,500, with players having spent $12,000 this season to wrestle.
Melee fines incurred up to round nine
2016 - $47,000
2015 - $35,500
2014 – Zero
2013 - $39,300
2012 – $37,200
2011 – $10,400
2010 – Zero
2009 – Zero
2008 – Zero
2007 - $33,400
Melee fines incurred per season
2016 – $47,000
2015 – $75,500
2014 – $43,500
2013 – $59,100
2012 – $95,500
2011 – $45,900
