Sydney pulled off a nail-biting win over North Melbourne on Sunday but they have drawn criticism after runner Jeremy Laidler stayed on the field for the decisive final two minutes.
The Swans went ahead with two minutes on the clock after Aliir Aliir drifted forward to break the deadlock.
On the end-to-end footage, former Sydney and Carlton defender Laidler can be seen marshalling troops and barking orders at the Swans players.
There is also the suggestion that he stood near unmarked Kangaroos in an effort to discourage them being kicked to.
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The incident has seen the debate around runners reopen, with the AFL reportedly close to changing the rules.
Geelong coach Chris Scott appeared on AFL360 on Monday night and was asked whether he thought this latest example would hurt the long-term future of the runner in the game.
"I do," Scott said.
"I think the directive is quite clear, the runners have got to get on, deliver the message and get straight off.
"If there's a problem, it's much broader than Sydney.
"I get the impression the AFL are thinking it's a problem across the competition."
"The runner shouldn't be out there to direct players to man up free players which appeared to be what was going on."
Host Gerard Whateley pointed out that Laidler was taking up a position near a North Melbourne player.
"The worry there is that the runner was manning up the loose on the way out of the stoppage," Whateley said.
"Now, the play is between Laidler and the bench, I'm sure the Swans would argue that, but the manner that he conducts himself with the player in space and from where the stoppage is suggests that he was putting himself in visibility as to where the North Melbourne player was."
Appearing On The Couch on Monday night, Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph said the league was very close to finalising changes to the rules around runners.
"The AFL will all but abolish runners next year," Ralph said.
"I think what they'll do is give 45 seconds for runners to get on after a goal.
"I've spoken to Steve Hocking (head of football at AFL) tonight and he clearly is going to ask for a 'please explain'.
"I think there's a big chance that Laidler doesn't run next week."
