Essendon is fined $5,000 after Bombers coach Matthew Knights instructed captain Matthew Lloyd to approach the umpires at quarter-time during their loss to Port Adelaide.

Knights was, at the time, perplexed at tackles being laid by his players for no reward by the umpires.

There doesn't seem to be a holding-the-ball rule any more," Knights said after the game.

"You make tackles and even if there is prior opportunity, there's just a restart. I spoke to Matthew just to go and ask on a clarification, but the umpires sent Matthew away."