CHEAP SHOT, HIGH PRICE

Bans will put a stop to punching: Buddy

LANCE Franklin believes the jumper punch will quickly become a thing of the past if the AFL stays true to its word and starts suspending players for cheap shots on opponents.

A procession of players have been fined for jumper punches and blows to the stomach in recent seasons.

It is clearly getting under the skin of AFL operations boss Simon Lethlean, who this week said bans would be dished out for future infractions.

“I think it will [get stamped out],” Franklin, above, said.

“As players you know the rules, and if they set that, I’m pretty sure they’ll stick to it. They make the rules, the AFL, so we’ll have to move forward ... if you are going to miss games it will be stamped out of the game straight away.”

Coaches have also welcomed the end of the AFL’s amnesty on punching, saying common sense has prevailed.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, Port Adelaide counterpart Ken Hinkley and Adelaide’s Don Pyke all support the crackdown on punching.

“You punch someone, you get in trouble — the AFL have got it 100 per cent right,” Port’s Hinkley said.

Fremantle’s Ross Lyon said there was a line that should not be crossed.

“Clearly, the MRP are saying there’s some grey and they would like it tightened up,” he said.

“There’s no doubt we’re all on notice.

“We’ve all had amnesty — forewarned is forearmed.”

Meanwhile, Lance Franklin meets his former team Hawthorn in tomorrow night’s annual Marn Grook match at the SCG, where the in-form Swans will be out to stop a red-hot Tom Mitchell.

The gun forward said Sydney would be paying plenty of attention to the former Swan, who had a massive 50 disposals against Collingwood last week.

“There’s no doubt we’ll be spending some time on Tom and try to curtail his influence around the contest,” he said. “He’s been unbelievable. “He’s never had an issue finding the ball; to get 50 touches is a super effort.”