Alastair Clarkson has apologised for "inappropriate" comments he made during an expletive-laden spray to a pair of St Kilda AFL players after Jimmy Webster's high bump on North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin.
Webster is likely to be sent directly to the tribunal and faces a lengthy ban over the high and late hit which landed Simpkin in concussion protocols.
North Melbourne coach Clarkson was furious about the incident and reportedly used the word "c*******er" during an exchange of words with Webster and fellow Saints defender Dougal Howard at the quarter-time interval of Sunday's practice game at RSEA Park.
"I was deeply disturbed seeing our captain Jy Simpkin forced from the field as a result of a heavy collision just before quarter-time," Clarkson said in a statement on Monday.
"Jy has had a great pre-season and has now had three concussions in 12 months and I was so disappointed to see him leave the field in that way.
"At the quarter-time break, I voiced my displeasure to St Kilda players Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard as they made their way to the quarter time huddle.
"This was an exchange that was emotional in defence of our captain, but unnecessary and the language I used was inappropriate.
"I have reached out to (Saints coach) Ross Lyon and both the St Kilda players to apologise."
It is unclear whether the AFL will investigate the exchange between Clarkson, Webster and Howard.
Lyon told the AFL website Webster will "pay the price" for his "unacceptable" bump on Simpkin, which will be assessed by the league's match review officer.
It will likely be classed as careless or reckless conduct, severe impact and high contact, meaning Webster will face the tribunal rather than being able to accept an early guilty plea.
Lyon said Webster was "upset and remorseful" over the collision and has attempted to make contact with Simpkin.
The incident happened four days after Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper received a four-game suspension for a bump that concussed Adelaide defender Mark Keane.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said the latest incidents showed his players should avoid bumping opponents at all costs.
"It's pretty clear: don't do it," Goodwin told reporters on Monday.
"We'll train our players around the contest. I've said this for a long time, there's really no need to bump ... other than when it's in a one-on-one ground-ball contest.
"It's more about tackling and doing that correctly, and making sure we're able to turn at the right time to tackle the right way.
"We'll keep training our players that way and educating them. We've already seen ... that if you're going to choose to head down that (bumping) path you're going to get in trouble."
Powell-Pepper's lawyer last week warned the AFL tribunal to not make the Power player a "scapegoat", arguing for a three-week suspension instead of four.
"A four-game penalty in a case of minimal culpability ties the hands in terms of consistency in future cases," Ben Krupka told the tribunal panel.
"This case will then serve as the base point for the others that come before you throughout the course of the year."