Hawthorn star Nick Watson has been urged to stop 'dropping' for free kicks after he was seen trying the tactic on numerous occasions during the Hawks' loss to Fremantle.
The 20-year-old copped heavy contact on one of the occasions he tried to win a high free kick by 'dropping' his body when tackled by the opposition.
Former Dockers champion Matthew Pavlich suggested Watson could seriously injure himself if he continues to try to win free kicks by putting his head at risk.
“It’s a tactic that the umpires are now onto,” Pavlich told Fox Footy.
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“As soon as a player starts dropping (their knees) or pushes in the back, they (the umpires) talk about it. It’s something he needs to look into.
“It’s dangerous for him (Watson) and could cause an injury. We know concussion and all the things being talked about at the moment – stamp it out.”
Ex-West Coast coach Adam Simpson was also critical of Watson's technique, suggesting juniors could copy his tactics to win free kicks.
“Decision-making is so hard now with the high tackle. It just used to be ‘is it high’, but now it’s: ‘Is the arm getting lifted? Are they ducking into it? Are they dropping their legs?’” Simpson said on Fox Footy.
“The quicker we can get that out of the game, the better – for his own safety. He didn’t need to do it, he doesn’t need to drop his legs. If he just goes straight, he’ll get the free kick.
“Kids watch these games, they try and emulate their stars and we just don’t want juniors doing that – and it’s slowly creeping into the competition more and more.”