Even if dodgy precedents did become established they would be applied consistently rather than selectively as is the case now. Of course you'd rather the penalty scale 'remained' reasonable and appropriate, but I'd prefer to see a slightly compromised penalty scale applied evenly to all teams rather than a 'fair' system applied unevenly to our team any day.
We've been made examples of too many times, with heavy penalties applied to Pav, McPharlin and Fyfe over the years when they've brought in new rules. Frustrating, yes. Unfair, maybe. But more frustrating and definitely unfair has been seeing those punishments for virtually identical incidents watered down at the afl's convenience, generally to protect favoured sons or ensure high profile names get to appear in finals.
I could live with out of proportion penalties as long as everyone got them, and accepting precedent would take care of that.
