BRISBANE LION Daniel Merrett believes the AFL does not have to change its already strict gambling guidelines, despite being linked to a recent betting plunge.

According to some bookmakers, Merrett's pre-match odds were slashed from triple figures to $15 to kick the first goal of the Lions-Gold Coast clash in round seven, where the full-back was a surprise starter in the forward line.

Merrett said having his name linked to the controversy was a huge surprise and he had little idea how the unusual betting pattern started.

"A guy could come down and watch me training and then tell a few mates and it goes from there. I think everyone just needs to take a deep breath and common sense will prevail," Merrett said.

"I'd hate to get to the stage where we have to close our sessions because we're worried about someone putting a bet on. We love having our supporters at training and hopefully common sense prevails."

Being linked to the incident has proved no distraction for Merrett who is enjoying a stellar season and proving one of the driving forces behind the Lions' back-to-back wins.  

The 26-year-old is leading the League in one percenters (118) and is universally regarded as one of the best defensive spoilers in the competition.

However, the defender has caught the ire of the umpires recently, having been penalised twice this season for a deliberate out of bounds.

Merrett gave away a free kick against Adelaide on Sunday after he gathered a loose ball less than one metre from the boundary line and was ruled to have deliberately run it out.

It came just four weeks after he was penalised for the same offence against Richmond at the MCG in round six.

On that occasion it cost the Lions a goal, as Jack Riewoldt slotted the free kick from the boundary line to give the Tigers the lead late in the third quarter.

While it did not hurt the Lions on the scoreboard on Sunday, Merrett said he was surprised by the decision.

"I thought I was pretty stiff," Merrett said.

"I feel I genuinely am unlucky with those decisions. Obviously the umpires want to keep the play going and that's what my intent is, and occasionally [the ball] just knocks over out of bounds. "

Merrett said he was prepared to accept the umpire's decision and had not sought clarification from the AFL on the rule, denying he was being targeted as a serial offender.

"It probably feels like that but I'm sure that's not the case," he said.

"I'll keep playing the way I've been playing and I don't know what I can do about it. I suppose it's up to the umpires to make their judgement."