AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has come out in support of Sydney's decision to suspend troubled spearhead Barry Hall indefinitely saying the league always encouraged clubs to deal with their own problems.
Demetriou said there had been too many times in the past when big name players such as Hall were treated differently by their clubs to other players who may have received harsher punishments in similar circumstances.
The Swans suspended Hall indefinitely on Monday saying he was not mentally fit to play in the AFL at the moment following his one-match suspension for attempting to strike Collingwood's Shane Wakelin on Saturday night.
Hall's latest indiscretion comes in just his third match back following the completion of a seven-match suspension for striking West Coast's Brent Staker in a behind-the-play incident in Round 4.
Demetriou said on Monday it was always better for clubs to deal with wayward players rather than for the AFL to become involved - as was the case in the league's decision to deregister former West Coast captain Ben Cousins after he admitted to a drug addiction.
"I commend the Swans and I commend all clubs who feel it is appropriate that if they sign up to a set of standards at the beginning of the season with the leadership group that they follow through with those actions," he said.
"In the past what has happened is there have been agreed principles at the start of the season but depending on who the player is at the club sometimes those things haven't been followed through."
"But I guess you have to congratulate the Swans - they are a club who I do believe are true to their word."
Demetriou said all clubs were now outlining in a transparent manner what was expected of their senior players both on and off the field.
"At all clubs now there is no doubt there are policies in place that have been implemented and agreed to by all the players," he said.
"(And) if any player at any club is in breach of those rules it's a good thing clubs are taking charge of that and that is one of the things we have been working with the clubs through our personal conduct policy."
"We are basically saying to the club we would rather you deal with your players on issues because they are your employees and you have got a relationship with them."
Demetriou denied the AFL match review panel had not been tough enough on Hall in the past saying he supported the decisions handed down by the panel in relation to Hall this season.
And he said Hall's recent actions had no affect on the AFL's reputation as a clean sport.
"You don't judge the actions of the code by one player," he said.
"We have got an outstanding record on what we believe and what we hold dear on how the game should be played."