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Alastair Clarkson has warned referees to be wary of free kickers after two off-the-ball incidents involving Cody Waitman hurt North Melbourne in their 17-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Dogs goal-neak Weightman fired a career-high three majors in a low-scoring affair at Marvel Stadium on Saturday and was at the center of two controversial whistle-blower decisions.
The first came shortly before the fourth quarter when Waitman won a free-kick called on inexperienced defender Jackson Archer for a hold and duly converted from 30 meters out.
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Waitman was also tackled by Aidan Corr moments before three-quarter time, leading to a 50-metre penalty that gave Adam Treloar a big goal goal.
It gave the Bulldogs a 31-point lead at the last change and they held on for an 11.11 (77) to 9.6 (60) victory despite the Cangaroos scoring three goals to one in the final quarter.
“It’s disappointing but managers make decisions based on what they think they see, so you just have to stick with what’s happening on the ground,” Clarkson said.
“But when it’s a contested race and goals are precious, they become quite expensive.
“We have to work with our own players, is the contact unnecessary?
“There’s contact between the players all the time and what the players have to really, really watch out for is how many free kicks are being milked when they’re so expensive when they’re in that part of the pitch.”
While admitting North were outplayed by the Bulldogs’ superior gear, Clarkson felt his defensive unit held up fairly well against the barrage of opposition supplies.
The Dogs won the inside-50 57-42.
“They get two goals through Weightman’s off-the-ball free-kicks and you can argue whether they’re there or not,” Clarkson said.
“But of their goals, two of them are like that and they have only 10 inside-50 points for the game from 57 innings.
“So we were pleased with the way we managed to defend, but when you have 57 inside 50s against you, you don’t win too many games with footy.
“It was mainly around their ball control and uncontested points.”
The defeat capped a disappointing 48 hours for North Melbourne, who lost rising star candidate George Wardlaw to concussion after an accident in training on Thursday.
Wardlaw is out against the Bulldogs and will also miss next week’s Gold Coast clash due to concussion protocols.
“I think he’s fine. It’s just so unfortunate,” Clarkson said.
“To get better at football, we play a fighting game and every time the players run out for training, they are at some risk, given that they have to prepare well for the match.
“At first we thought he just hurt his shoulder but he just complained of a bit of lightheadedness from the contact and as soon as he went into the reports it was 12 days instantly.
“It’s a real shame he’s going to miss (two games), but we’ve just got to roll with the punches with it.”
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