Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has been put on notice and the Suns face a potentially costly AFL tribunal case in the fallout from their latest loss.
Friday night's away loss to Geelong is the third straight defeat for the slumping Suns.
Hardwick was fuming post-match and took aim at the umpires, claiming they were influenced by the crowd and the "Roman Colosseum" atmosphere at GMHBA Stadium.
That prompted a pointed phone call to Hardwick from AFL football operations boss Greg Swann. While Hardwick avoided a fine or a "please explain", it is understood he accepted Swann's point.
"It was like the Roman Colosseum," Hardwick said post-match when asked about his frustrations.
"I reckon they (the umpires) were waiting for the crowd to do this one (thumb down) then, all of a sudden, free kick.
"At the end of the day it is what it is, home-ground advantage, we understand that, we know you're up against it from the start, but a couple of them (free kicks) weren't there."
While the AFL will not fine Hardwick, Daniel Rioli's careless umpire contact charge from Friday night could leave Gold Coast significantly out of pocket.
The Suns will challenge Rioli's fine by written submission on Tuesday night at the tribunal.
If Rioli is found guilty, that would take the Suns to five offences of this type for the season.
Worried by a spike in umpire contact incidents, the AFL wrote to clubs after round 10.
Clubs were reminded that if they reach the five-offence threshold, they can be hit with an AFL fine of up to $50,000.
