NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott was disappointed with his captain Andrew Swallow's response to being hit by Luke Hodge last Saturday night, saying that "flying the flag is just crap".
Scott was asked on Wednesday whether he had been happy with his players' response to the incident that earned Hodge a three-match suspension, and did not mince words.
"Flying the flag is just crap to be honest," Scott said.
"What we are looking for is players to remain composed under pressure and we are looking for players to control their emotions.
"I thought our players did that reasonably well (but) Andrew Swallow really was disappointed with his reaction, because there is flying the flag and there is giving away free kicks."
Hodge hit Swallow in the head with a left forearm midway through the first term of the Hawks' 60-point win, sending the North skipper to the ground.
Click here to watch the incident
Swallow's teammates rushed to remonstrate with Hodge, as Lindsay Thomas converted a point-blank set shot courtesy of a 50m penalty to put the Roos five points up.
As Swallow ran back to take his place at the following centre bounce, he slung Hodge and pinned him to the ground.
The umpires awarded a free kick to Ben McEvoy in the centre, the Hawks ruckman sending his team into attack, where seconds later Luke Breust goaled after receiving a free kick for a push in the back from Jack Ziebell.
"We conceded the lead that we had at the time, we conceded the momentum because we were supposedly flying the flag," Scott said.
Hodge telephoned Scott after last Saturday night's game to apologise for striking Swallow.
Scott said he had accepted Hodge’s apology and felt the incident had been out of character.
"I think he just wanted to explain his actions and he was remorseful for what he did. Luke didn’t need to [apologise]," Scott said.
"We have got an enormous amount of respect for Luke Hodge, (he's) an unbelievable player, an unbelievable captain who leads their team really well and is genuinely remorseful for the way he conducted himself.
"He is a player who plays on the line and very, very occasionally players who play that close to the line overstep it.
"I think it was largely out of character and shouldn’t tarnish his reputation in any way."
Asked whether the aggression Hawthorn showed last Saturday night and Geelong showed in round four suggested opposition teams were targeting his players physically, Scott doubted it.
Brad Scott faces the media on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images
"I thought Hawthorn responded as proud sides do when they concede a seven-goal-to-one first quarter and lose the game the week before (against Port Adelaide)," Scott said.
"If there's this attitude – and I don't believe there is – that clubs can target our players then we'll welcome it, bring it on."
