Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury says AFL players are crystal clear on what is required of them as part the league's crackdown on umpire abuse.
There was widespread confusion in round five when some players' demonstrative behaviour towards umpires resulted in 50-metre penalties, while other incidents were let go.
AFL football operations boss Brad Scott later ticked off on the six penalties that were paid but admitted inconsistencies in some other rulings.
Pendlebury believes the collective playing group has already adjusted its behaviour over the opening weeks of the season.
The 339-game veteran suggested it is football commentators and media personalities that have the biggest issue with the new rules.
"As players we are so clear that anything we do will be 50," Pendlebury said.
"We had pre-season games where we were giving six or seven away and now we wouldn't even average one a week (per team).
"We're getting a lot better at it."
The AFL estimates it is 6000 umpires short at community level and Pendlebury backed the message the league is trying to send around respect for whistleblowers.
"At some point we've got to realise it's bigger than just what happens out here (in the AFL)," Pendlebury said.
"It's at the lower levels as well and we want umpires umpiring this great game, otherwise it's not going to be as good as it could be in 20-30 years time."
Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell agreed with Pendlebury, declaring the role of umpires at all levels vitally important to the game's success.
"We do need grassroots footy continuing and young kids wanting to umpire games and feeling that they are respected," Heppell said.
"You always have your frustrations (with decisions on the field) but you can certainly deal with that, no doubt about it."
