IT WOULD be "extremely concerning" if rival clubs had made complaints to the AFL on a perceived favouritism the Western Bulldogs get from umpires, coach Luke Beveridge says.

The premiers have received a league second-best 263 free kicks this season at an average of 20.2 per game, while only conceding only 216 – the third-fewest in the competition.

AFL.com.au's Damian Barrett said on Channel Nine this week that he believes several clubs had concerns over officiating in games involving the Bulldogs.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said after last week's loss to the Bulldogs that the club's fans would "demand answers" following the Kangaroos being on the wrong end of 26-14 free kick count.

When quizzed on the allegations, Beveridge said while he was aware of some angst surrounding the Bulldogs last year, he'd be staggered if the complaints had continued.

"It would be amazing if it's true," Beveridge said.

"It would really surprise me if a club would go to the umpiring department and asked in a fashion questioning the impartiality of the umpiring fraternity.

"To actually question that there's an imbalance and a favouritism, that's extremely concerning.

"I know for a fact that there were some strong enquiries made at the end of last year around certain things (involving the Bulldogs)."

When asked why his side gets its fair share of free kicks, the premiership coach believes it comes to down to the Dogs' handball-happy style of play and strict orders to play in front.

"We probably don't hold onto the ball long enough at times and get holding the ball, so there's some opportunities the opposition miss out on then as far as the free kick count goes," he said.

"We position ourselves in front – as forwards and defenders – and when you're in that position you always give away less free kicks.

"We're not clumsy and we are disciplined … every side that I've ever coached has been that way, and there's some advantages in it."

It's not the first time Beveridge has bristled over favouritism allegations, with the coach last year labelling Adelaide's public questioning of the umpiring following the round seven Dogs-Crows clash as "disgusting".

The Bulldogs received 28 free kicks to Adelaide's 12 in the Dogs' 15-point win at Etihad Stadium, and following the game Crows coach Don Pyke told the media he would be speaking to the AFL about it.