Ben Brown says he’s never considered playing for free kicks or “milking” contact with an opponent.

While the North Melbourne forward admits having a plan to counter the size of Adelaide ruckman Reilly O'Brien, it wasn’t to stage or dive.

“To be honest with you I’ve never thought in my life about going into a contest and going, ‘oh, I’m going to milk this for all it’s worth’,” he told Nine’s Footy Show.

“I went in probably on the weekend with a bit of a plan in that situation that Reilly O’Brien is a pretty big bloke, I didn’t think I’d stand much of a chance if I was going to wrestle him one on one. So I thought I’d jump at it, got the push.”

Brown said his long limbs can make him look “ridiculous” at times when he’s off balance, and accepted the criticism is part of the game.

“I suppose you try not let those kinds of things effect you too much,” Brown said.

“Early on [in your career] something like that does strike a bit of a nerve but I think I’m dealing alright with it.

“People are going to make comments on the game, it’s part of what makes our game great, is that we get fans involved in discussions, commentators involved. You never want to take away people’s right to have an opinion.”

Brown had an ally in former Carlton and Brisbane forward Brendan Fevola.

“It wasn’t too bad, he just got you at the perfect spot while you were jumping,” he said.

“You’re a forward, forwards don’t get free kicks, milk them for whatever you want.”