Umpire contact is again in the spotlight after a collision in the opening minutes of Thursday night’s clash at Marvel Stadium.

Carlton’s Lachie Cowan clattered into umpire Andrew Hefferman, again putting the hot-button issue on the agenda.

After Essendon coach Brad Scott complained about a similar incident involving Nate Caddy last week, Matthew Richardson said the incident again exposed the AFL’s current approach to umpire contact.

Press PLAY to hear the instant reaction from Marvel Stadium

“This is what Brad Scott was talking about – the umpires are standing in the corridor,” Richo said on 3AW Football.

“Brad Scott was told by the umpiring department to pretend (the umpires) are invisible, how do you pretend they’re invisible.”

Image: Channel 7