NORTH Melbourne star Ben Cunnington could again face scrutiny after another display of recklessness against Essendon, just days after receiving his fourth Match Review fine of the season.

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Late in the second quarter, Bomber playmaker Zach Merrett gathered the ball near the boundary line when Cunnington once again rode his luck.

Approaching from the side, the midfield bull swung his right fist and made contact with the ball, but still conceded a free kick because his forearm rode up and made contact with Merrett's jaw. 

The act incurred the wrath of Bombers fans and Merrett's teammates, some of whom remonstrated with Cunnington.

On Wednesday, Roos caretaker coach Shaw said his star needed to be more disciplined, noting that four separate incidents in one season was "way too much". 

"He's putting himself at risk and he's putting the team at risk. He knows that and he's really clear on where he stands," Shaw said.

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However, Shaw wasn't concerned by Cunnington's swing in the immediate aftermath of the narrow loss to the the Bombers. 

"I thought he hit the ball. He was going for the ball, so that's how I read it," he said.

"Probably it wasn't the best look, but I thought he was going for the ball."

Cunnington's misguided aggression has marred an otherwise brilliant season in which he has rocketed into contention for both the Brownlow Medal and All Australian selection.