Scott said Thomas only had himself to blame for an unfavourable relationship with AFL umpires.
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North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says Lindsay Thomas’s history of playing for free kicks has hurt his reputation with AFL umpires.
Thomas was roundly criticised for exaggerating a push in the back from Geelong’s James Kelly back in round 19, which led to a controversial free kick and a subsequent goal.
The forward did not receive a free kick against the Cats on Friday, and Scott told FoxFooty on Monday night that he only has himself to blame.
“My concern right from that incident is that umpires are going to think he’s accentuating every contact,” Scott said.
“I would think most people would think that’s a free kick, (Kelly’s) arms (are) around him.
“But umpires are thinking he’s faking it.”
Scott said Thomas should have received a free kick in the goalsquare on Friday after Kelly appeared to have his arms wrapped around the 26-year-old during a contest for a loose ball.
“If he hadn’t done that in the past, I think the Kelly one would have been a free kick,” Scott said.
“You make your bed, you lie in it.”
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