FIRED-UP West Coast coach Adam Simpson has slammed Match Review Officer Michael Christian and questioned whether there is a different rule for Nic Naitanui because of his size and power in the wake of the star ruckman's suspension. 

Naitanui's one-match ban offered by Christian for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide's Karl Amon was upheld by the AFL Tribunal on Wednesday, rubbing him out of Saturday's huge clash with the Giants in Sydney.

The Eagles opted against appealing the Tribunal's decision. 

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Christian believed Naitanui had Amon's arms pinned, and said the big Eagle should have tried to roll his opponent in the tackle and show a duty of care.

"In this particular case, I don't think that Nic showed a duty of care towards Karl Amon, the tackle was unreasonable in the circumstances in that he drove him into the ground with excessive force," Christian told AFL.com.au's The Verdict.

The incident, which left Amon with delayed concussion, has divided opinions across the football world. 

Simpson didn't hold back when asked for his thoughts on Thursday, especially in relation to Christian's initial assessment of the tackle and subsequent comments it was the easiest case he has assessed.

"He just got that wrong with the suggestion both arms were pinned, (that) Amon came off and didn't come back on, so that was just a bit sloppy from our point of view," Simpson said.

"The follow-up from that to go on every radio station and suggest it was the easiest decision he's ever made, I would've thought we could make that after the Tribunal, not before.

"The natural justice of everything is a bit flawed there.

"I'm not sure what we (West Coast) can say in the build-up. I would have thought that should be fair and reasonable for both sides."

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While Simpson didn't agree with Naitanui's suspension, he understood the need for player protection, pointing to the fact two of his children play the sport, and said Amon deserved a free kick.

However, the argument Naitanui needs to assess the height and weight of opponents before tackling them riled the Eagles coach.

"(The suggestion is that) In 0.8 of a second Nic's got to assess obviously where the ball is, who's about to get the ball, his height, his weight, is he going to crumple, is he going to take him on," Simpson said.

"But what does he do from now on?

"Because there's not enough time to actually make all those decisions. Anyone who suggest that’s the way he's got to handle it is wrong.

"Now I've got to make a decision – and so does Nic."

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Simpson doesn't want Naitanui to change his aggressive approach, but queried whether the 110kg Eagle would be better off laying a bump than laying a tackle given recent adjudications by Christian relaxing penalties for incidental contact to the head. 

"After the weeks before with different types of suspensions not laid, and laid, does he hip and shoulder, is the question, because I'm not sure there's been any suspensions on that with the incidental head-knocks," Simpson said.

"I don’t think that's the right thing to do, but I'm a little bit confused.

"I don't want him to change – I don't think anyone wants him to change how he attacks the footy – and maybe it's just a Nic rule because he's so powerful.

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"Just don't be so powerful and strong and aggressive in the act of play is maybe (the answer).

"At the moment, I'm seeing issues off the ball that are not related to football – elbows to the head, hip and shoulders off the ball – that are OK, you might get a fine.

"I'll get some clarification on where it all sits.

"To suggest the answer is Nic you've got to assess all those things in 0.8 of a second – I think it's a little bit unfair."

AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking didn't have a problem with Christian speaking about his decision before the Tribunal and is happy to speak to Simpson about any concerns he has.

"We're at round seven, about to go into round eight and most of the competition has been happy with it," Hocking said on Thursday.

"I'm more than happy to have that discussion with Adam if required. I'm sure that will get picked up if clubs are concerned with that and we'll make the necessary adjustments.

"I don't see that Michael was trying to influence anyone, all Michael was doing was giving a clear view and a clear understanding and points of view as to how we've come to that discussion.

Simpson, who denied the AFL had communicated any concerns about Naitanui's tackling technique prior to the Amon incident, was keen to move onto the Giants clash after venting his frustration.

He revealed Subiaco product Brayden Ainsworth, pick 32 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, and ex-Power midfielder Brendon Ah Chee would debut, while workhorse big man Fraser McInnes has been rewarded for his excellent WAFL form.

Ainsworth will be the Eagles' sixth debutant this year, with Simpson admitting he has learnt about the value of youthful enthusiasm after being at the helm of the AFL's oldest squad in 2017.

West Coast is aiming for a seventh-straight victory but will have to do it without Naitanui, star onballer Luke Shuey (hamstring) and first-year speedster Jack Petruccelle, who will miss at least a week with an ankle injury.