NORTH Melbourne midfielder Andrew Swallow should have received a free in front of goal late in the third quarter of his team's 17-point loss to Hawthorn on Sunday, AFL umpires manager Jeff Gieschen has admitted.

The Kangaroos trailed by seven points as Swallow prepared to kick for goal before being chased down by Hawk Liam Shiels.

Shiels' tackle caused the North star to trip and the ball to spill free.

"He (Swallow) definitely should have got a free kick," Gieschen said on afl.com.au's 'What's Your Decision?' on Tuesday night.

"The tackle slipped down below the knees, and once it goes below the knees it falls into the trip category … the Kangaroos were pretty unlucky with that one."

Watch 'What's Your Decision?' to see the Swallow incident, plus the umpires boss' verdict on:

* A 50m penalty against Hawk Lance Franklin
* A free kick to the Eagles' Mitch Brown for a push in the back against Richmond's Robin Nahas
* A 50m penalty to Tiger Bachar Houli against Scott Selwood in the same game
* A long run down the wing by Carlton's Jeff Garlett against Melbourne
* A mark paid to Fremantle's Chris Mayne late in the first quarter against St Kilda
* A free to Sydney Swan Heath Grundy for holding the man against Essendon's Brent Stanton