WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge today slammed a “cowardly” bump by West Coast’s Mark Hutchings while expressing concern over the ongoing treatment being dished out to star playmaker Jason Johannisen.

Hutchings was sent to tag the Norm Smith medallist in last Saturday’s meeting at Etihad Stadium and employed physical tactics from the outset.

The Eagles stopper played an important role in his side’s seven-point win, limiting Johannisen to just 12 disposals.

It was an extension of the recent trend of opposition teams targeting Johannisen, started by Sydney in round 12.

Beveridge said some of the attention Johannisen had been receiving was “a bit concerning” and singled out a bump laid by Hutchings at a break in play during the first quarter.

The bump felled Johannisen on the Bulldogs’ half-back line and saw them awarded a free kick at the centre bounce, which started a possession chain that finished with a goal.

But Beveridge said the penalty wasn’t heavy enough.

“He got cleaned up from behind. Hutchings ran off the bench without him looking,” Beveridge said.

“It’s cowardly and we got a free kick from it, but he got away with that.

“(Johannisen) has to put up with that at the moment.

“We’re not going to go and belt Hutchings because we are a disciplined side, but some of that stuff’s a bit concerning.

“A free kick sort of doesn’t seem enough if you’re just allowed to go and clean someone up when they can’t even see you.

“You’re not hitting them in the head, but it’s not ideal.”

Beveridge said the Bulldogs had not raised the issue with the AFL umpiring department.

Camera Icon MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Jason Johannisen of the Bulldogs and Mark Hutchings of the Eagles compete for the ball during the 2017 AFL round 15 match between the Western Bulldogs and the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium on July 01, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images) Credit: PerthNow

“They’ve got to make their own decisions on it. We won’t whinge about it,” Beveridge said.

“At least they paid a free kick, where in the past they may have missed it. That was a good thing.”

Eagles coach Adam Simpson, presented with the comments this afternoon, leapt to the defence of his player.

“I wouldn’t go that far. I wouldn’t say it was a cowardly act,” Simpson said.

“He played his role. It’s a pretty brutal competition isn’t it? So, you do what you do, within the rules, to win the game and I don’t think that went outside the rules.

“If it does, you give away a free kick. You find the line. That’s where you push it to. If you go over it, you get reported or you give away a free kick.”

Simpson said it was silly to suggest the Eagles had stepped over the line given they had been criticised earlier in the year for not being aggressive enough.

Johannisen averaged 24.3 disposals a game during the Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership season and 25.3 in the opening 10 rounds this year.

But the 24-year-old, originally from East Fremantle, has failed to cope with the extra attention and averaged just 13.8 disposals in his past four outings.

Beveridge backed Johannisen to fight his way through his form woes, with the Bulldogs set to confront second-placed Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

“He’s searching for ways with us to minimise the impact on our team, as much as him individually,” Beveridge said.

“I’ve said a number of times that we don’t need him to play a 30-possession game.

“We just haven’t had enough spread to win our fair share of games in recent times.

“I’m not really that concerned about that being a huge factor in why we’re not winning.

“It’s having an impact, but it’s way down the order.”