The AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) has broken ranks with the AFL over the severity of a betting fine handed to Melbourne player Addam Maric.

Maric was hit with a $5000 penalty for placing a bet on a game for a friend.

The association wanted some of the fine suspended.

It is the first time the AFL has handed out a fine for a betting offence and not suspended some or all of the total.

"The association believes that a suspended component of the fine was more appropriate in the circumstances of this case, where the player voluntarily advised the relevant AFL authorities that he had placed a bet on a team other than his team," association interim chief executive Matt Finnis said in a statement.

"(Maric) fully cooperated with the AFL's investigation and expressed his sincere regret and apologised for his actions.

"The AFLPA notes that the fine imposed represents a significant proportion of the prescribed payments the player is entitled to receive."

The AFL has strict anti-gambling provisions and the Demons went to them after Maric revealed he had placed the $100 bet.

Maric realised his error after taking part in an AFLPA gambling education session and reported it to Melbourne football manager Chris Connolly.

Maric put the money on Collingwood to beat the Western Bulldogs in round 15, a match the Magpies narrowly won.

"He stated that he and a friend were betting on racing at the time and, when his friend asked him to place a bet for him on the match, he did so without thinking," the league said.

The AFL investigated the incident and accepted Maric's explanation, but there was no softening of the penalty.

"Maric was extremely remorseful and apologised unreservedly for his actions," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.

"It was the AFL's view that his action was at the lower end of the scale, but we would remind all players and officials at each club that these rules are central to the integrity of our game."

In a club statement, Maric said he was "extremely embarrassed" by the incident.

Last year, North Melbourne received a $50,000 suspended fine because board member Ron Joseph placed two bets on the Kangaroos.

In 2007, Adelaide's Simon Goodwin, Melbourne's Daniel Ward and North Melbourne's David Hale were fined for betting offences, while Sydney youngster Keiran Jack was reprimanded.

Goodwin received the biggest penalty of $40,000, with half of it suspended, while Ward received a $10,000 fine ($5000 suspended).

All of Hale's $5000 penalty was suspended.

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