The umpiring in the AFL has caused more confusion and anger, with the 'third man up' rule and deliberate out of bounds the latest in the spotlight.

During the off-season the AFL controversially announced only one nominated ruckman would be able to take part in a contest.

A number of players expressed their anger at the rule changes at the time and we got a clear picture as to why in the Western Bulldogs' three-point win over North Melbourne on Friday.

In the third quarter, Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli clearly nominated for the ruck.

Marcus Bontempelli (4) nominated for the ruck, but only after Josh Dunkley (right), according to the umpire. ( Supplied: Channel Seven )

Josh Dunkley was subsequently held out of the ruck by North's Andrew Swallow, eliciting a free kick.

Umpire Robert Finlay was swarmed by protesting Kangaroos.

"How are we supposed to know if they're both calling it?" North ruckman Todd Goldstein asked.

Swallow and a number of others pointed to the screen, imploring Finlay to do something about the injustice, but were swiftly informed that Dunkley had "already nominated [before Bontempelli], well and truly".

Dunkley ultimately missed the set shot, meaning the effect on the game was minimal, but it is only a matter of time before something like this seriously impacts on a result.

Goldstein said the decision "was a bit confusing", adding the umpire got the call right, but the issue was certainly far from being cleared up.

"It's one of those intricacies that needs to be understood and looked at because you'd hate for that to cost you a game," Goldstein told the ABC after the game.

"Obviously there's a bit of confusion there still."

Elsewhere, the ever-controversial 'deliberate out of bounds' rule was again the focus of pundits' ire.

It all came just weeks after a hubbub over the league's new 'intentional rushed behind' rule caught out Sydney's Callum Mills.

Coincidentally enough, that too came in a game against the Bulldogs.