MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin will seek clarification after a "staggering" ruck infringement cost his team a crucial goal in Saturday night's loss to Geelong.

Goodwin was left dumbfounded by the blocking free kick awarded against Angus Brayshaw in the second term to Patrick Dangerfield.

CATS STEAL THRILLER Full match coverage and stats

Brayshaw was deemed to have impeded the Cats superstar after he nominated to go up in the ruck contest against Demon Max Gawn.

While defender Bernie Vince said he believed star players such as Dangerfield were "looked after," Goodwin says he will look for an answer from the umpiring department.   

"The rule's the rule, but how Angus Brayshaw is meant to know that Patrick Dangerfield's going up in the ruck from 10 metres away is staggering," Goodwin said post-match.

"We'll obviously get some clarification but that's the rule, we got exposed on that play and it's a goal we don't get back."

When asked by the reporters if the ruck nomination rule was "not a great rule", Goodwin responded: "I'll let you guys judge that." 

Sydney champion and former helmet-wearer Jude Bolton took to social media to suggest Brayshaw's headgear may have hindered him hearing Dangerfield's nomination call.

Dangerfield's former Adelaide teammate Vince was one of the Demons players left arguing their point to umpire Nicholas Brown as the Cat lined up to convert the goal.

TALKING POINTS Seven-goal Tom's very happy birthday

"I felt like he ran towards Brayshaw, he flops around a bit, Danger, sometimes," Vince told AFL.com.au with a grin.

"It's in the rules, you're not allowed to do it, so the umpire called it.

"I felt he (Dangerfield) contributed to that free kick.

"I feel like the umpires look after the stars. The free was probably there because you're not allowed to infringe in the ruck.  

"Whenever it's one of the stars they always look after them, I feel, that's my opinion." 

Picking up 21 disposals in his second game back after a fortnight out of the senior side, Vince said his spot was still up for grabs in the final five games heading into a finals tilt.  

"I don't feel safe with my spot, I've got to train well, prepare well and play well each week," he said.  

"It's like when you first start playing footy now, you're trying to get a game and trying to get yourself in the team.  

"It's the same at the other end, you've got to keep in the team and keep performance otherwise you'll be out when you get to my age. I'm still loving it, still loving footy." 

Vince is hoping to be on the plane to face his former side next week when the Demons tackle the Crows at Adelaide Oval.