‘Got to be better than this’: Undisciplined Bomber called out for costly 100m penalty

North Melbourne great David King has taken aim at Essendon’s Devon Smith for giving away a costly 100 metre penalty during Saturday night’s loss to Melbourne.

Bombers youngster Archie Perkins committed the first 50m penalty for running into the protected zone, while an extra 50m was added after Smith abused the umpire – resulting in a certain Demons goal to James Jordon.

It marked a key turning point in the match as Melbourne didn’t surrender the lead again from that point, eventually winning by 11 points.

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An umpire was later in the night heard on his mic telling Smith to “stop yelling at me.”

Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack,King called for Smith to “be better,” suggesting such behaviour is why he was removed from Essendon’s leadership group.

“To be quite honest, this is unlucky to give away a 50 (metre penalty), no problem. But I don’t know what abusing the umpiring for the next 45 minutes of the game does,” the dual premiership Kangaroo said.

“Devon Smith was in the leadership group at Essendon and this is why you’re not there anymore. You’ve got to be better than this, you really do.”

Smith wasn’t the only player to come under heat for an undisciplined act over the weekend.

Brisbane legend Johnathan Brown labelled Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard’s critical 50m penalty against Fremantle for abusing an umpire “unforgivable.”

But King doesn’t believe the situations are comparable, saying Smith isn’t doing enough for his team and needs to focus on “getting back into form.”

“Comparing this one to Maynard is totally different because Maynard did everything for Collingwood to try and get them over the line,” King said.

“Devon Smith, it’s time he gives back a little bit, it’s time to repay the faith. This footy club’s been pretty good to you. You even heard the umpire in the fourth quarter say: ‘Hey Devon, enough mate, I’ve heard you’.

“I think he’s just got to concentrate on getting back into form. I don’t know if his spot in this team is solidified just yet. They’ve got players to come back, he’d want to start upping the ante.”

Smith moved from GWS to Essendon at the end of 2017 and won the best and fairest in his first season at the Dons.

He has played 165 AFL games since making his debut in 2012.