Players are calling for the AFL to slash the size of fines dished out by the match review officer after a spate of financial sanctions that have prompted some to remark they would be better off being suspended.

The AFL Players’ Association says players have told the union they believe they are being stung by excessive fines, disproportionate to their indiscretion, and want transparency to show how the money is being spent by the league.

The league has handed out $263,250 in fines so far this season, according to AFLPA records, already up a third from last year, with nine full rounds and finals still to play. The AFLPA expects the topic to be raised by players when it visits clubs next week.

The AFL increased fines this season in accordance with the rise in wages from the new pay agreement, despite opposition from the AFLPA, which did not believe there was a disciplinary problem that required heavier financial sanctions to remedy. The AFL declined to comment on the size of fines.

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Port Adelaide star Zak Butters, alone, has been docked $14,375 already this year – the equivalent of 60 minimum speed limit infringements – taking his career fines to $29,375. He is one charge shy of eclipsing Toby Greene’s record tab of $31,850, though at the age of only 23 is well-placed to surpass the Greater Western Sydney veteran by the end of his career.

Butters was this week fined $10,000, reduced to $6250 with his early plea, for an intentional low-impact strike to the body. Such acts commonly receive a $2500 penalty, though Butters was punished for being a recidivist for a fourth offence. Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe also accepted a $6250 fine for a similarly graded hit, for a third offence.

The players’ union would not be drawn on individual cases but believe fines of $6000-plus are over the top.

“We are concerned by the size of the fines,” AFLPA general manager of player and stakeholder relations Brett Murphy told this masthead.