IS THE punch to the breadbasket making a comeback?

In the past three rounds, the Match Review Panel has fined five players for punching an opponent in the guts, or for landing, as it is known in the business, a 'tummy tap'.

When the NAB Challenge is included that makes six 'tummy taps' for the season so far.

That's not a trend yet but alarm bells will ring if the habit continues to grow at the rate it has since round four.

Last season, the first under the new fines system, there were 13 intentional, low impact body strikes.

In previous systems, when carry-over points were earned for the transgression, there were 17 in 2014, 14 in 2013 and 12 in 2012. This makes six 'tummy taps' so far in 2016 too many for this early stage of the season.

Don't forget you have to hit pretty hard to come under notice as the constant niggle midfielders put up with around the ball is rarely cited.

On Sunday, the Brisbane Lions' Tom Bell became the latest player (and the second Lion fined this season after Darcy Gardiner collected Gold Coast's Aaron Hall in round four) to be hit with a fine after knocking the wind out of the Sydney Swans' Jake Lloyd.



Match Review Panel full statement: round six

On Anzac Day, Collingwood's Levi Greenwood managed to hit Brendon Goddard in the stomach and the Bombers' skipper went to ground.

Both received the obligatory $1000 fine and remain eligible for the Brownlow Medal.

A week earlier, Greater Western Sydney co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis both crumpled in a heap after being whacked in the stomach off the ball by Port Adelaide players.

The experience wasn't new for Davis.

He has been on the receiving end of three punches to the guts that have ended in fines to his opponents.

Davis is a courageous defender who overcame a serious kidney injury he suffered two years ago and is proving himself an excellent player.

He doesn't deserve a punch in the guts every time he shuts down a player.

The problem is that there is no easy answer to solve what could become a trend no one watching the game wants to take hold.

How do observers determine whether the bloke on the receiving end is playing for a free kick?

How does anyone judge whether some players are more resilient to a punch in the guts than others or whether some punches just hit the sweet spot?

That's why right now the fines system is reasonable.

But if some players continue to think a quick punch to the guts is OK, then more decisive action than a fine might need to be considered.

Perhaps while the Brownlow remains fairest and best, the old 'tummy tap' should sit in a category of its own, the fine accompanied with ineligibility for football's highest honour.

Maybe then the pathetic punch in the guts will disappear from the game.