AFL field umpire Brett Rosebury was half-right when he told off some Hawthorn players during their surprise loss to St Kilda in Launceston.

The audio of Rosebury's comments were highlighted in the electronic media over the weekend.

He had just paid a free kick under a memo that the umpires department had issued to clubs during the week, saying that they would clamp down on illegal contact off the ball.

"You guys need to ask Clarko (Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson), there was a memo during the week, and he hasn't passed it on," Rosebury said.

"Go ask your coach, he got a memo and he hasn't told you blokes."

It appears Rosebury was right that Clarkson had not told his players about the memo - but only because the club had not received the information.

The club's computer system seems to have blocked the email from the umpiring department that contained the memo.

The AFL media also reported the impending emphasis on stopping illegal contact before Saturday's clash, while Saint Leigh Montagna said they were aware of the situation.

Rosebury's slightly agitated tone of voice and the comments themselves attracted interest, because the interaction between players and umpires has been a touchy subject in the league.

The field umpires wear microphones during matches and radio station Triple M routinely airs their comments.

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