REWARDING the tackler should be prioritised when interpreting the contentious holding the ball rule, according to AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan.

McLachlan's comments come after Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson put holding the ball adjudications on the agenda after the Western Bulldogs eliminated the Hawks from the finals in September. 

The four-time premiership coach queried the number of free kicks awarded to his team considering the number of tackles the Hawks had applied.

Statistics showed the number of tackles per holding the ball had actually declined marginally as the season progressed, but the issue remains a subject of discussion following the Bulldogs' premiership. 

McLachlan said it was close to impossible to be definitive on the issue and backed the umpires to get it right more often than not. 

"Holding the ball is the hardest interpretation to nail," McLachlan said. 

"What is holding the ball? What is incorrect disposal? What is in the back and all the variations of that … [it] is the hardest thing to define the interpretation and then to administer it." 

However when pressed he conceded he would like to see free kicks paid if the tackle leads to the ball spilling free.

He acknowledged Sydney coach John Longmire's call for umpires to spend more time on their craft but said having full-time umpires would not necessarily achieve the objective of improving consistency.

"Umpiring is extraordinarily important to our game so whatever resourcing [we can add] to improve it or apply to a solution we'll find," McLachlan said.

"It's just that [working out] how you improve consistency is not obvious … our umpires do a very good job." 

He said the AFL had trialled several ideas to assist umpires to achieve consistency. 

"We will continue to work to help our umpires and do whatever we can but the answers are not obvious," McLachlan said. 

He also moved to quell concerns that the AFL was planning significant changes to the way the game was played after it was reported several clubs had assisted the AFL to trial 16-a-side games and zones during pre-season. 

"Don't be alarmed," McLachlan said.

"Being inquisitive is just good leadership and good business. That is what mature organisations do that have got good relationships with people." 

He reinforced his belief that 18 players from each team on the field was the right number for the game. 

"I believe it is an 18-a-side game," McLachlan said.