But of course a professional athlete will try to get advantage within the rules. Players do this all the time in soccer and basketball.
Even in AFL players have always tried to force out on the full by handballing or tapping onto an opponent's lower leg, it's just easier now.
Ball in dispute near the boundary and three blokes aren't trying to win the ball or see it over, they're trying to tap the footy into the nearest opposition leg. Not the greatest look.