Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith has hit out at Newcastle tyro Beau Scott after his questionable tactics on Johnathan Thurston Saturday night.

“The tackle by Beau Scott on JT was blatantly late and we just can’t have that or guys are going to get injured,” Smith said.

“I don’t know whether it is a coincidence or not, but that is how Billy did his AC joint last year. He passed the ball out of the back of one of our shift plays and Beau Scott got him late, and he did his AC joint. That is how he got injured.”