To opposition clubs and supporters in the AFL and SANFL, Port Adelaide's runner David Arnfield has long been considered something of a pest.

Yet to Power coach Mark Williams, Arnfield is the victim of an unfair smear campaign, resulting in a suspension on trumped up charges.

The suspension of Arnfield, announced on Thursday, was met with mirth in parts of the football community.

His standing as an agent provocateur of rare effectiveness and notoriety - in part due to his distinctive shaven head - is widely known.

Williams, though, was fuming at the decision against a loyal servant of the club.

He also took it as an insult that there was some implication Arnfield's role extended beyond that of a runner - that he was in effect instructed to annoy and get in the way of opposition players.

"I just want it to be made absolutely certain, and no one from the AFL has ever rung me about this, but in the time I've coached I've never once, ever, sent the runner out for anything more than to deliver a message," Williams said.

"I've suggested he (Arnfield) grow some hair, there's no doubt that he's easy to recognise, but he's done a wonderful job for Port Adelaide, he's completely involved in our results, he lives and breathes Port Adelaide and we'll certainly miss him in the next four weeks.

"(The suspension) definitely does affect (the match day effort) and he realises that, that's why he's so mindful of trying to do the right thing."

In explaining why Arnfield did at times spend lengthy periods of time on the field, Williams painted the scenario of a rapidly moving game that does not always allow easy runner-to-player communications.

"If you've ever tried to be a runner it's quite difficult if, for a start, they stay on the bench waiting for the other one to come off, they might be trying to deliver a message to someone in the centre square to move forward.

"Then we have to go and run and get the person who's forward to come off and there might be a ball-up on the opposite side of the ground.

"That could take a fair time."

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