Craig McRae will continue encouraging Jack Ginnivan to put opposition tacklers to the test as Collingwood seek clarity from the AFL over high-contact free kicks.
Already a polarising youngster in just his second season, Ginnivan was again centre of attention during the Magpies' narrow four-point win over Hawthorn on Sunday.
The 19-year-old received one early free kick for high contact and booted two first-quarter goals from whistles in his favour.
But he also saw umpires wave play-on in several other incidents where he clearly felt aggrieved at not being awarded frees for high contact.
McRae said Collingwood would raise the topic with the AFL this week in search of answers.
"Thinking that you can't get paid a free kick because we don't like that you're getting free kicks ... I'm not sure if that's the case," McRae said.
"I'll just get some clarity with that."
McRae rejected suggestions Ginnivan is playing for free kicks.
"Playing for free kicks is an interesting way of putting it," he said.
"I think players are really good at avoiding tackles learning how to evade tackles and making it hard to be tackled.
"We tell our players to spend time over the ball, which means that you're probably going to get some front-on contact, but we want to keep the ball in front of us.
"Being tackled versus getting tackled, we practice that.
"I think it's a skill and it forces the tackler to really be on his best game.
"Is it within the rules? There's no rule against it at the minute."
McRae said he will continue to encourage his players to take on tacklers, especially after winning ground balls.
"Dusty (Martin) does it with an arm and Joel Selwood's made a living out of it," he said.
"I think it's smart play."
McRae played a straight bat when quizzed on a baffling decision to penalise Magpies defender Darcy Moore for making contact below the legs of Hawthorn opponent Sam Butler.
It gifted the Hawks an important goal during the third quarter, with replays showing Moore made no contact with Butler before the latter went to ground.
The free kick was paid by the non-controlling umpire about 50 metres from the play.
"We make so many mistakes as players and as coaches, we're human aren't we, we're allowed to make mistakes," McRae said.
"Whether that one was or wasn't (there), I think we'll live with that."
