As per Fox Footy, the memo referred clubs to league rules about performance and trying."Please be reminded of the obligation in the AFL Rules on Clubs to "perform on one's merits", meaning that Clubs must perform honestly and to the best of their ability," the memo read."While legitimate management of player fatigue and injuries is permitted, the AFL will scrutinise Club team selection decisions in the lead-up to the AFL Finals in the context of this Rule."This memo caused a mild uproar across clubs, coaches and fans, hijacking much of the conversation of the week."I think the main consideration for the teams who might be certainties to play a wildcard game is the fact that the six teams above seventh all have a week off," Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge told Fox Footy on Monday.One of his potential finals rivals, Melbourne coach Steven King, also weighed in strongly."I'm the coach of the Melbourne footy club Likewise, the mass-resting of players by North Melbourne and Fremantle about a decade ago spurred the AFL to institute a pre-finals bye.Changes to the AFL's finals structure and to the draft compensation awarded to the league's weakest teams, may have renewed motivation to stretch the AFL's rules — and the patience of its fans — to its limits.To find out what the AFL means by "performing on one's merits" you first need to crack out one of the core documents that governs the league — the AFL Rules