COLLINGWOOD captain Nick Maxwell says heated discussions with teammate Heath Shaw are a weekly occurrence and not a sign of lingering tension between the pair.

Maxwell and Shaw were captured on camera in a boisterous discussion as they returned to their positions after the three-quarter time break in Sunday's win over West Coast.

But the Magpies skipper says such arguments are not uncommon.

"If you have a look back at footage over the last eight years we've been playing together you could see there are three or four times a game (when) we go nuts at each other for different reasons," Maxwell said.

"I suppose that is why we love Heath so much because he is so passionate about our footy club and wanting to win. I've since shown him the footage and we're both right.

"We both got what (coach) Mick (Malthouse) wanted right, but it's a good debate for us. I suppose that's why we think it makes us a good back line because it holds us accountable."

Earlier in the week Shaw had also dismissed talk of tension between the two, telling the Herald Sun it was better for teammates to be "overly vocal" than to say nothing.

Maxwell took the unusual step of addressing issues at a press conference off his own bat on Wednesday rather than waiting on questions from reporters.

Unprompted, Maxwell addressed talk of Dale Thomas being touted as the best player in the competition by St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, his rushed behind against the Eagles, this week's opponent St Kilda, a potential mid-season trip to Arizona, Malthouse's radio commentary on Melbourne and rumours of Martin Clarke's return.

While commentating on Friday night's game between Melbourne and Carlton for radio station SEN, Malthouse said it was an act of cheating to claim a goal knowing it wasn't the case.

Demon Addam Maric had celebrated a goal despite replays showing the ball had come off the leg of Carlton's Andrew Carrazzo.

Maxwell not surprisingly jumped to the defence of his coach.

"I think we should go back and listen to the footage. I had a listen to it and he never mentions any player," Maxwell said.

"He is talking about the situation in itself and the circumstances. It was more of a broad opinion on what would happen in that situation. I think it's been blown out of proportion."

Maxwell said Thomas was fast becoming one of the best players in the league but had to remain playing at a high level for several years if he was to live up to the tag bestowed on him by Lyon on Monday.

"The last six weeks or so his form would say he is     up there and challenging everyone else up there," he said.

"But by his own admission it is something he wants to do consistently over the next few years and make sure he is a good player for a long time like the best players in the competition - Chris Judd and those type of players."