AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says he understands the booing by Essendon supporters at Thursday's Anzac Day match, and that there would be a review of umpiring decisions.

"I'm not going to tell people not to boo," he said on 3AW on Friday morning.

McLachlan characterised the booing during Scott Pendlebury's acceptance speech for the Anzac Medal as an "outpour of frustration", rather than being directed at any individual player and said it could not be compared to the booing of Adam Goodes which "crossed the line".

"Personally I don't quite understand booing and I don't like it and I certainly don't like targeting of champions with booing," McLachlan said.