Concern about the spectacle in AFLW games has led the AFL to request that AFLW coaches keep players stationed in virtual zones at centre bounces and open up play.

In a memo from AFL football boss Steve Hocking, coaches of the women's AFL teams were asked "in the spirit of the game" to line up with five players in both defence and attack and six players in the midfield.

The AFL was disappointed just five goals were scored in the Carlton-Collingwood game last Friday night. Credit:AAP

Hocking also requested that the coaches have a 15-metre space on the attacking side of midfield stoppages.

Hocking's request for the coaches to line up their teams in a 5-6-5 formation was simply an appeal – teams that did not comply would not have a free paid against them. AFLW has two fewer players on the field than the traditional 18, plus interchange.