West Coast coach John Worsfold admits he has been left confused by the new rushed behind law after a controversial free kick was paid against the Eagles in their five-point AFL pre-season loss to Fremantle.

Worsfold will seek clarification about the rule from the AFL after defender Scott Selwood was penalised for punching through Rhys Palmer's shot on goal in the dying minutes of Fremantle's 17.9 (111) to 16.10 (106) victory.

The Eagles were up by seven points at the time but the resultant goal from point-blank range kept the Dockers in the contest.

The rule, which penalises defenders for deliberately rushing a behind, is being trialled throughout the pre-season and is a strong chance to be introduced in this year's home-and-away campaign.

"I need to get clarification on it for sure because from what we've been told we would have assumed it was a rushed behind," Worsfold said.

"I think that's going to be one for the whole competition, everyone will be looking at that and shown that and we'll find out whether that's a free kick or whether that's not, that's what we'd like to know.

"(My understanding of the rule was) that if you're in a spoiling contest you can spoil the ball over the line.

"If it is going to become a rule (for the season proper) then everyone needs to be more clear.

"If that was a point, I think it's a good rule.

"But if that's a shot on goal, I think they need to review it.

"I'm not supportive of the way it was paid, but I'm supportive of the rule."

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said it was a blessing in disguise the incident happened now, giving the AFL plenty of time to review the decision.

"That's the best part, it's happened in a close game, in a practice game and the AFL in time can sort it out and work out whether they need to press ahead with it or not," Harvey said.

"I am a supporter of it. It keeps pressure on the game, the individual, the team and it will keep the game alive, and it means we see more contests.

"You just have to teach your defenders how to get out of trouble."

Harvey said he was proud of the way his charges fought back in the final quarter.

The Dockers looked dead and buried when the Eagles opened up a 25-point lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.

But Fremantle stormed back in the dying minutes, piling on five unanswered goals to snatch the win.

Fremantle will assess the fitness of midfielder Andrew Browne (corked thigh) and Palmer (back) during the week, while the Eagles will monitor Quinten Lynch (corked buttocks) and Josh Kennedy (foot).

West Coast will also be sweating on the findings of the AFL match review panel after Adam Selwood was reported for striking Fremantle's Clayton Hinkley during the second quarter.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP