Geelong coach Chris Scott is concerned about the AFL's contentious change to the advantage rule, saying it is causing confusion.

The rule is in the spotlight after the controversial end to the Cats' three-point win over Collingwood on Friday night at the MCG.

With only a couple of minutes left in the gripping clash, Collingwood ruckman Cameron Wood was awarded a free kick about 50m from goal.

Team-mate Scott Pendlebury immediately played on and goaled, which would have put Collingwood two points ahead.

But the umpire failed to see the ball had spilt free and blew his whistle for time on before Pendlebury had his kick.

The ball was brought back and Wood's free kick did not make the distance.

Geelong were able to clear the ball from defence and hold on for the win.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse was clearly unimpressed by the Pendlebury incident post match, calling it the "fastest whistle in history".

The advantage rule was changed for this season, allowing players - not the umpires - to decide if there is an advantage to a team playing on after a free kick.

While Scott was obviously pleased the umpire blew his whistle before Pendlebury could make the most of his advantage, he is also unsure about whether the rule change works.

"I was certainly grateful," Scott told radio station SEN.

"It's a real line-ball situation at the moment, we've had a couple of situations where free kicks have been paid (and) almost instantaneously the ball is kicked and advantage is paid.

"I'm not that's the right way to go, either."

Scott added that during Friday night's game, a Geelong player had given away a 50m penalty because he had played on, thinking the free kick was in his favour.

"I'm guess I'm a little bit undecided on the current interpretation of the advantage rule," Scott said.

The AFL sent a text message to media within minutes of the final siren, explaining why the Pendlebury goal was disallowed.

Scott also questioned AFL media manager Patrick Keane immediately after the Geelong post-game media conference about why the league had been so quick to explain the umpire's decision.

"It was a query, it certainly wasn't a criticism ... when there's a contentious decision like that, do we need to rush to defend the decision?" Scott asked.

"If we make an error as a coaching group, our policy is let's just wait and review it, make sure we make a correct decision.

"If we jump to a conclusion, it's really hard to come back from that."

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