North Melbourne has criticised St Kilda's game plan revolving around star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, albeit falling victim to his heroics in Sunday's 39-point loss.
Wanganeen-Milera helped himself to 46 disposals, 1060 metres gained, four goals, five clearances, five marks, 10 score involves and eight inside 50s.
Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson said it wasn't the star Saint's possession that hurt the club in the disappointing defeat, but the scoreboard impact which was ultimately the difference.
"The whole game plan is nearly set up around him," Clarkson said.
"It wasn't so much the possessions that hurt us; it's the goals. That's why he's best on ground; he kicks four goals.
"He's always going to get his touches because with the stand on the mark rule that's in play, he's running past, and every time he runs past, they give him the footy."
Clarkson alluded to St Kilda giving Wanganeen-Milera the ball in the wrong spots on the ground, which can curtail their own ball movement and efficiency throughout games.
The 23-year-old took nine kick-outs and was given the ball on 20 occasions by teammates.
He had 12 more disposals than the next best player on the ground (Bradley Hill - 34 possessions) and more than 500 metres gained then teammate Darcy Wilson (481 metres gained).
"A lot of the cases they give him the footy in the wrong spots, and it actually hurts them," Clarkson said.
"But four times he got the ball in the right spots and kicked goals, and that's what hurts us the most.
"End of the day, that's pretty much the margin."
Clarkson also provided an update on key defender Charlie Comben after he was taken to hospital following a late hit to the chest.
Comben was spitting up blood and was taken as a precaution, with the club confident he hadn't suffered any internal damage.
"They're just taking him there for observation because he was just coughing up a little bit of blood," Clarkson said.
"It was a heavy hit, open to his chest area, but they seem to think he's going to be all right."
