THE WITHERING spray North Melbourne coach Brad Scott gave Majak Daw during the Roos' 27-point loss to Essendon last Saturday was prompted by the big man's lack of aggression.

Television cameras captured Scott holding nothing back in the one-sided conversation. Daw was selected as the side's primary ruck after Todd Goldstein was dropped.

He finished with 14 disposals, nine contested possessions and 33 hit-outs in 90 per cent of game time while his counterpart Tom Bellchambers notched up 10 disposals, eight contested possessions and 34 hit-outs in 86 per cent of game time.

Daw told nmfc.com.au he could handle that sort of fierce message.

"It was a fair spray but I can understand where Brad's coming from. He wants the best out of me and I think someone like me, I've got a pretty thick skin," Daw said.

"The game was on the line so we needed to get going and he thought that could get me up and going.

"I was beaten a few times by Bellchambers, who's a pretty good ruckman.

"We've spoken, we've had a laugh about it, but I think for me, it's just turning that spray into what can I work on during the week (and) what can I do with the ruck coach and midfield coach. I guess it's about learning really."

The 26-year-old acknowledged he needed to show more fight.

"Being aggressive doesn't come naturally to me and I'm continually working with Brad and chatting to him and what ways I can play with aggression, because it works for me and it lifts the team. It will help me and hopefully I find what works," Daw said.

A few days removed from the incident and he could see the lighter side. After the interview finished, Daw's teammate Jarrad Waite probed the 31-game player further about the exchange, saying Scott's barrage was worse than any the ex-Blue had copped in his career.

The ruckman agreed, adding that the whole experience brought to mind a famous Simon and Garfunkel lyric.

"I just looked out on the ground and (thought about) that song: 'Hello darkness my old friend'," he said with a laugh.