Former Essendon and St Kilda player Brendon Goddard has slammed North Melbourne forward Ben Brown for his behaviour during the Kangaroos' 12-point win over Adelaide at Docklands on Saturday night.

Key points: Ben Brown was awarded three free kicks during North Melbourne's 12-point win over Adelaide

Ben Brown was awarded three free kicks during North Melbourne's 12-point win over Adelaide Former Essendon player Brendon Goddard said he was 'flopping'

Former Essendon player Brendon Goddard said he was 'flopping' The victory was North Melbourne's first win of the season

Brown, who led the scoring for the home side with 4 goals and 2 behinds, was paid a number of questionable free kicks when up against Crows defender Daniel Talia.

During the third quarter, a free kick awarded to Brown provoked the immediate ire of ABC Grandstand summariser Goddard, after what appeared to be a blatant flop from Brown after minimal contact from his opponent.

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Brown theatrically threw himself to the ground as he and Talia contested the ball, but was awarded the free kick, with the umpire saying: "You cannot push him off the ball and then go back for the ball."

Goddard, who played 334 AFL games for St Kilda and Essendon in a 16-year career, did not agree and was forthright with his criticism on ABC Grandstand.

"Ben Brown, just stand up and play like a man," he said.

Brown was credited with winning just one contested mark during the match but was awarded three free kicks by the umpires, all against Talia.

"He's allowed to touch you," Goddard continued.

"Talia's got a hand in his chest or under his armpit, he's not holding him in his stance.

"Why are the umpires buying into that?

"Make a stand and say, 'Ben that's not acceptable, stop staging or flopping for free kicks'."

Brown had been criticised during the week by two-time Premiership captain at the Kangaroos Wayne Carey, after a lacklustre start to the season saw North Melbourne lose its three opening games.

Brendon Goddard (left) was no stranger to strong tackles in his career. ( AAP: Tracey Nearmy )

The 26-year-old responded to those critics with a clinical performance in front of goal as the Roos victory offered a welcome salve to embattled coach Brad Scott.

"[We're] back to [playing] some of the footy that we know we can play, which was fantastic," Brown said after the match.

"I try not to pay too much attention to what's said around me, I think if we all did that [listen to criticism] we'd all get sad pretty quickly.

"I know that if I trust the way that I play … the ball will fall my way eventually."