Don't change, Beau: Worsfold

WEST Coast coach John Worsfold denies rugged defender Beau Waters needs to change his style of play despite the AFL tribunal’s decision to suspend the hard-hitter for two games.

Waters, who made head-high contact with Collingwood’s Shane O’Bree on Saturday, is now burdened by 70 carry-over points for the next 12 months and an automatic 40 percent increase on any guilty verdict.

But in a stance similar to that taken by Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson earlier this year, Worsfold encouraged the 22-year-old to continue playing on instinct.

"No, I don’t think he does [need to change], I think every now and then players cross that very fine line," Worsfold said on Wednesday.

"I think as long as they have that focus, they know the rules, they know how to play the game. I think they should attack the game in what’s natural for them.

"Beau at various stages over the next 10 years might get a week or two-week suspension occasionally, but I don’t think it’s going to be a thing that’s going to happen regularly for him.

"I think he’s a pretty talented player and he’ll be able to read the context of those situations he’ll be going into."

While Worsfold didn’t want his players to dramatically change their approach to the game, he was satisfied with the League's direction on head-high contact.

Bulldog Robert Murphy (one match) and Adelaide’s Brett Burton (two matches) were also suspended this week for head-high hits.

"We understand that we’ve got to protect players' heads, and we don’t shy away from that," Worsfold said.

"Things change, times change, we’ve got to move with the times and I’m prepared to do that … and generally I’m very supportive of the rule changes and the way the AFL have gone about it, and I can understand their view with this issue.

"Hip and shoulder in the side, hip and shoulder the hip and shoulder. Don’t hip and shoulder the head."