North Melbourne small forward Lindsay Thomas won’t change his approach after a one-game AFL suspension for an “accident”.

Thomas missed North’s round-seven win over St Kilda, having been charged by the match review panel for his coathanger on Western Bulldog Lachie Hunter.

Bulldogs young gun Marcus Bontempelli suggested at the time that “there was quite a bit of malice in” Thomas’ sloppy attempted tackle.

“I didn’t even really hear what he said to be honest. I copped my suspension and moved on from it really quickly,” Thomas said on Monday.

“It was a tackle that was an accident, it was a high tackle.

“Move on quickly but I haven’t changed anything out of my game, that’s for sure.

“I copped my suspension. I had to train hard, I’ve come back and I love playing football.”

Teammates and coach Brad Scott leapt to Thomas’ defence when he was charged, with veteran forward Drew Petrie opining it was a case of “trial by media”.