The AFL has handed Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson a $5000 suspended fine for the heated scenes at the end of Saturday's loss to Essendon.

Clarkson was furious with Bombers captain Matthew Lloyd on the boundary line immediately after the game.

Lloyd ironed out midfielder Brad Sewell with a massive bump in the third quarter, leaving the Hawk with facial fractures.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans had to restrain Clarkson as the two teams left the field.

In the changerooms a few minutes later, Hawks defender Campbell Brown called Lloyd a "sniper".

Two days later, Lloyd accepted his four-game suspension for the Sewell bump.

Clarkson apologised earlier this week for his post-game behaviour, calling himself a "peanut".

The AFL fined Clarkson for acting in a threatening or aggressive manner towards Lloyd and the penalty will remain until the end of next season.

"The AFL is concerned about the potential for such situations to escalate on the ground and also the need for AFL coaches to set a positive example for coaches at all levels," said AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson.

Clarkson again apologised in the AFL statement announcing the fine.

"I believe senior coaches should model appropriate behaviour and I fully intend to set a positive example for coaches and others involved across all levels of football," he said.

Meanwhile, the AFL Medical Officers' Association has reacted to the debate in the last fortnight over the future of the bump in the game.

Lloyd and Hawthorn's Lance Franklin were suspended under the league's crackdown on head-high contact.

Dr Hugh Seward disagrees with critics who worry that the bump is being removed from the game.

"However, if the collisions involving injury to the head and neck are minimised in the game, this is a good outcome," he said.

"Surely the proponents of the bump are not condoning serious head and neck contact that can lead to concussion, facial injuries and potential brain and spinal injuries?

"Reducing collisions involving head injuries should be a priority, even for the strongest traditionalists - fortunately it has been for the AFL."

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