Collingwood tagger Brent Macaffer is right to think the AFL umpires are keeping a closer eye on him.

St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna says there is no doubt the umpiring department has put out a directive to pay closer attention to what happens in and around stoppages.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick struggled to contain his frustration after Macaffer blanketed Tigers captain Trent Cotchin in round four.

Macaffer’s outstanding job on Cotchin and Hardwick’s reaction put the spotlight back on midfield tagging.

“No doubt the umpires are (paying) more attention now around the stoppages and contests to players who might be holding,” Montagna told Channel Seven’s Game Day.

“Certainly Macaffer is copping the attention because of the public scrutiny.

“But the umpires, you can tell, have been directed to keep more of an eye around the scrimmages.”

Cotchin is one of several top opposition midfielders this season to come off second-best against Macaffer’s tagging.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley has praised Macaffer for his discipline.

Buckley added the AFL umpiring department only came up with two missed free kicks against Macaffer during the Richmond game.

But the Collingwood onballer said on Saturday that he will re-think his tactics during their round-eight bye.

“Since about round three or four it’s definitely a lot tougher,” he said.

“Obviously I go near someone or touch them at the moment and there seems to be a free kick … paid against me.

“So it’s something we’re going to have to go through.

“We need to sort out what I can and can’t do now, because if I keep giving away free kicks something has to change.”