The AFL have fined St Kilda runner Tony Walsh $4000 for making contact with Western Bulldogs onballer Liam Picken.

There was an incident involving Walsh and Picken as they left the field during last Saturday night's preliminary final at the MCG.

The league sent the Saints a "please explain" earlier this week.

"Runners have a responsibility to deliver messages in an appropriate manner, then get off the field straight away," said AFL operation manager Adrian Anderson.

"There should not be contact or interaction with any opposition player or AFL umpire."

The league could have fined Walsh up to $10,000, but took into account his written apology to Picken.

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