The Tigers key forward was livid on Sunday when the frees were paid against him, because his boot studs had made contact with an opponent in a marking contest.

The league cracked down on boot studs because of Greene, after the GWS star had raised his leg and used the sole of his boot at times to ward off opponents.

"The studs up rule was brought in to ensure players did not employ their studs in marking contests in a manner likely to cause injury," AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking said in a statement..

"Although the two incidents ... were adjudicated according to the current interpretation, the AFL acknowledges there is a need to adjust the interpretation of rough conduct free kicks relating to the use of studs in marking contests and will make this change effective immediately."

Earlier on Monday, Richmond football manager Neil Balme made his displeasure clear.

"I don't know why they did it in the first place," he said of the rule change.

"If someone kicks someone in the face with their studs, I reckon that's pretty obvious. If someone goes for a mark that's also pretty obvious, but sometimes we over-officiate, don't we.

"I think we're all a little bit put off by the fact that he (Riewoldt) certainly wasn't trying to hurt him and there was no problem with it.

"But the rule says studs up, it's a free against - it doesn't make any sense to me at all."

Australian Associated Press