Wodonga’s Ben Hollands, Myrtleford’s Brad Murray and Albury’s Daniel Maher yesterday called for the rule to be investigated.

They said a 15-minute send-off was often too harsh a penalty to pay for a minor infringement.

And they said varying umpire interpretations “left too much to chance”.

Kennedy spoke out against the yellow card after Pigeon Jarrod Thompson and Panther Alex Jones were marched during Saturday’s physical match at Lavington Oval.

Hollands agreed with Kennedy in saying the send-off put too much pressure on the umpires.

“I just think we should let the tribunal do the job,” Hollands said.

“There have been three or four cases in our games this season where players have been sent off and they haven’t even been reported or gone to the tribunal.

“Unfortunately you can’t take the send-off back.

“It’s a big penalty to play.”

Murray said he feared a send-off could determine the result of a match and called on the Ovens and Murray to investigate its options before the end of the season.

“I think it’s a bit harsh,” Murray said.

“It makes a bit more sense to use it as a warning card like the soccer.

“I agreed with what Chris said in the paper.”

Maher echoed Murray’s comments.

“I won’t mind the rule looked at,” he said.

“Maybe a 100 metre or 150 metre is the way to go.

“The rulings can vary a lot from umpire to umpire — if it’s something bad then obviously you should be sent off, but it’s a harsh penalty for a minor indiscretion.”

Ovens and Murray general manager Aaron McGlynn said a submission to change the send-off rule was put to AFL Victoria by the VCFL last year to bring in a third card which acts as a warning.

“But they were keen to keep it as it was,” he said.