VIDEOS: Brad Scott press conference | Match highlights | Wells brilliant goal | Harvey from the boundary

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NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott says he would hate his players to have the Eagles' reputation for ducking their heads to win free kicks.

Speaking after his side was on the wrong end of a 29-15 free kick count during the 25-point loss to West Coast at Patersons Stadium, Scott refused to comment on the standard of umpiring.

But he echoed the comments made a fortnight earlier by Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who said the Eagles were the best duckers in the competition.

"I think that most of the free kicks are there for the high contact, and we spoke at length about Ashton Hams and the way he draws free kicks and against Richmond there were a few last week," Scott said.

"I thought they were all there, so the umpires made the right call against Richmond.

"But we spoke about the technique. I wouldn't like our players to develop a reputation for doing that, but the umpires call it as they see it.

"There is a specific technique which is employed and there is a specific technique to counter that, and too many times today they employed their technique and we didn't employ ours."

Scott was this week reprimanded by the AFL for approaching the umpires after his side's round four clash against the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

But he blamed the latest defeat on being "comprehensively outplayed around the stoppages" in the first half and the second half performance of the accomplished West Coast midfield brigade.

Clarkson, whose Hawks were also on the wrong end of the free kick count when they were narrowly defeated by the Eagles at Patersons Stadium a fortnight ago, said other teams had to emulate West Coast or get the rule changed.

"I think it is a technique thing with West Coast, they shrug the tackle and get high tackles better than any club in the competition," he said.

"Ham, Selwood, Kerr, Priddis, these type of guys shrug their shoulders and ... we need to get low in the tackle. The free kicks were there but for mine it's just like ducking your head.

"Your tackle starts off being chest-high or waist-high and then with the shrug it happens to get them around the neck, well they've contributed to that.

"I reckon it's something we need to look at."

VIDEOS: Brad Scott press conference | Match highlights | Wells brilliant goal | Harvey from the boundary

Can't view the videos? Visit the NMFC YouTube channel

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs