Jack Ziebell has become the latest to weigh in on the protected area debate saying the "punishment does not fit the crime".

Speaking on the Powershop Players Podcast, the North skipper has called on the league to abolish the 50-metre penalty.

“The AFL seriously need to look at the rule because the punishment does not fit the crime,” Ziebell said.

“The reason they brought the rule in was to avoid players impacting the mark and I think at the minute, you’ve got 0.01 of a second to make a decision on which way to go, and if you go the wrong way but still don’t impact the mark, you get paid a 50-metre penalty against you.”

Ziebell wants a common sense approach to be adopted in a bid have a more positive, free-flowing game.

“I think a 50-metre penalty is too much,” Ziebell said.

“I think if you had a 25-metre penalty that would be better, but even then, the time it takes to bring the player forward, it gives the opposition time (to set up).

“The AFL is trying to speed the game up, but that just slows the game down. A 25-metre penalty would work for little things like that.

“If someone takes a mark and gets clobbered from behind and it’s a pretty bad act, then 50-metres, but for little, tiny indiscretions that have no impact on the game, 50-metres is just unnecessary.”

Echoing comments made by Brad Scott a fortnight ago, Ziebell believes the umpires should have more discretion and perhaps display some leniency when the play isn't impacted.

“I think umpires say that the penalty was technically there, but they technically miss another 60 in the game as well.

“If they want to get technical about it, that’s where it’s at, and I think it’s a s**t rule.”

Listen to the full episode of the Powershop Players Podcast below.