MATCH Review Officer Michael Christian has returned serve at West Coast coach Adam Simpson, declaring his role in explaining his decisions as important for educating the broader football public.

Simpson 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. 

SIMMO CONFUSED: 'Maybe it's a Nic Nat rule?'

It was a stance Eagles lawyer, David Grace QC, took when defending Naitanui at the Tribunal, with Simpson also arguing that Christian may have pre-empted the Tribunal's decision after he said the case was the easiest he had assessed. 

Naitanui's one-match ban offered by Christian for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide's Karl Amon was upheld by the AFL Tribunal, rubbing him out for last Saturday's win over the Giants.

Christian said more transparency led to greater clarity for all the stakeholders in the game.

"In terms of talking about the decisions, I think one of the weaknesses of the Match Review Panel over the years has been the fact that the MRP members were not permitted to speak about any of the cases," Christian said on Monday evening.

"I think one of the great innovations under (AFL football boss) Steve Hocking has been that I'm able to stand here now and explain some of the decisions for the broader football public.

"We're not suggesting everyone's going to agree with all cases 100 per cent, but I think it's useful to help explain decisions so people at least have an understanding."

Under previous regimes, the members of the Match Review Panel were unable to speak about why they had arrived at a decision even if a particular case had been shrouded in scrutiny.

"This was predicated on the fact that there has been criticism in recent years that no-one knows why decisions are made, so this is an opportunity to explain decisions and help people understand at least why they've been arrived at," Christian said.

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However, Christian did put up his hand for making an error in his assessment of the Naitanui case.

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

"I inadvertently said he had pinned both arms, when in fact he (Naitanui) had pinned one," Christian said.

"At the end of the day I'm asked questions and I'm trying to respond to those questions as best I can."