THE NEW, tougher interpretations of the deliberate out-of-bounds rule are "slightly easier" to adjudicate, according to umpire Brendan Hosking.

The rule has created much discussion in the first three rounds of the season with some arguing it's too harsh on players, but Hosking, who has officiated in over 50 games of senior footy, is in favour of the changes.

"Personally, it's probably a little bit easier (to adjudicate)," Hosking told AFL.com.au's Whistleblowers program.

"It's obviously hard to put ourselves in the players shoes and figure out their intent.

"I think it does sort of take that grey area out of the game, (so) it's slightly easier for us."

Nathan Buckley queried a free kick paid against Jack Crisp in the second quarter of Saturday's loss to St Kilda after the midfielder crossed the boundary as he took possession of the ball.

Hosking agreed with the Collingwood coach's sentiments, conceding the umpire in question got that decision wrong.

"The better call in this case would be to throw it in based on the position of the ground where he's picked the ball up and the momentum carrying it out (of bounds)." Hosking said.

A similar free kick paid against Bulldog Matt Suckling was ticked off by the umpires department, as was a decision against Hawk Sam Mitchell. 

The 26-year-old said umpires have a number of "cues" they look for to help them make split-second decisions in the heat of a game.

"We have to weigh up the player's intent with what he's doing with the ball," he said.

"You don’t have to have possession of the ball, you don't (only) have to kick or handpass it, you can pay deliberate if it's knocked out as well.

"The ball landing closer to the boundary from where the player kicks the ball is a big cue for paying a free kick."

Collingwood premiership player Luke Ball said the rule could be tough on players at times, but backed the new approach because it was making the game a better spectacle.

"I think the industry was calling for it, and in general the fans, commentators, players and club (administrators) alike are really accepting and in favour of the impact these interpretations are having on the game," Ball said.

"You feel for defenders a bit because they're probably the ones who might suffer a bit with this new interpretation, but they'll adjust.

"There's less reliance on the boundary line, which is creating better footy and corridor use."