His captain was caught sledging an AFL opponent about domestic violence, but St Kilda coach Ross Lyon insists his players treat their rivals respectfully.

Lyon has declared sledging a non-issue and said he had no plans to discuss the issue with Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt, who last Friday night told Essendon's Andrew Lovett "You bash your f...... missus" during the game at Telstra Dome.

The jibe was picked up by a microphone worn by one of the umpires and broadcast by the Seven Network.

Lovett was last year fined $500 in the Melbourne Magistrates Court after he was found guilty of breaking an intervention order taken out by his ex-girlfriend.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace said it was unacceptable for players to make personal insults about opponents.

But Lyon was not prepared to judge on morals, although he believed the Saints did not overstep the line.

"As a team we have a philosophy that we treat our opponents with respect regardless of the scoreboard," he said.

"But in the heat of the moment, unless you know what's been said and what's been given, both physically and verbally, it's hard to make moral judgements until you've walked in that person's shoes."

Officials from Essendon and St Kilda discussed the sledge after the game, and Lovett has decided not to take any action.

That meant Lyon wanted to move on.

"Both clubs have spoken and the player, Andrew Lovett, isn't concerned and has moved on, so I have no need to speak to anyone," he said.

"I think our group conducts itself incredibly well and I haven't seen too much evidence to the contrary."

Wallace said sledging had been "part and parcel" of the game when he was playing, from 1978-91, but said remarks of a personal nature were now unacceptable.

"Everyone knows that umpires are miked - that's a fact - do you get away with it on the tennis court? Why should you get away with it on the footy field?" he said.

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