NORTH Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas' history of playing for free kicks is hurting his reputation with the umpires, coach Brad Scott says.
Thomas was widely criticised for accentuating a push in the back from Geelong's James Kelly, which led to a contentious free kick when the teams met in round 19 earlier this season.
Despite contact from Kelly on numerous occasions in Friday night's semi-final, where a free kick was seemingly warranted, Thomas was not rewarded.
Thomas did not receive a free kick against the Cats and the umpires penalised him on two occasions.
Scott believes Thomas has only himself to blame for the lack of umpire support.
"My concern right from that incident is that umpires are going to think he's accentuating every (bit of) contact," Scott said on Fox Footy on Monday night.
"I would think most people would think that's a free kick, (Kelly's) arms (are) around him.
"But umpires are thinking he's faking it."
Scott said Thomas was desperately unlucky not to receive a free kick deep in the goalsquare when Kelly appeared to wrap his arms around the North forward and prevent him from accessing the ball.
"If he hadn't done that in the past, I think the Kelly one would have been a free kick," Scott said.
"You make your bed, you lie in it."
Meanwhile, Scott said it would be ill-advised for him to speak with suspended Roo Brent Harvey about the predicament he has found himself in.
Harvey received a one-match ban from the Match Review Panel for making high contact with Geelong captain Joel Selwood on Friday night.
That followed an incident where Harvey was rubbed out for three matches and saw him miss North's elimination final win over Essendon.
The Kangaroos have already announced the club will contest Harvey's latest charge at the Tribunal on Tuesday night.
"I don't think that helps in the situation right now," Scott said.
"I spoke to him after the last incident only a month ago and we're in this situation again.
"There'll be a time and a place for that."
