But Freo coach Chris Connolly yesterday attempted to deflect attention from his club's growing disciplinary crisis by accusing the rest of the AFL of staging for free kicks by feigning injury.

Carr's one-game suspension, coming from his 12th report since 2002, was imposed after having a charge of striking Geelong's Steve Johnson upheld by the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

But despite being without another senior player for the crucial game against St Kilda on Friday night, Connolly insisted neither Carr nor the rest of his squad were undisciplined - and other factors were in play.

"It is disappointing Josh is not available, because we really thought he wouldn't miss a game with the evidence we had at hand," Connolly said.

"Obviously the tribunal thought different, as a club we are very disappointed but we move on quickly.

"I have said before that we have put ourselves in vulnerable positions being over aggressive, and it is something that put us in good stead in the second half of last year.

"But I think it is quite clear that the interpretations have changed.

"I don't think we have an undisciplined group, I don't think we have (an) undisciplined vice captain ... and I don't think that has been costing us games."

Since the beginning of pre-season Jeff Farmer, Michael Johnson, Matthew Carr, Steven Dodd and Dean Solomon in the premiership and Heath Black in the WAFL have all missed games, while reports against Solomon, Matthew Pavlich and Des Headland were all dismissed.

And although Connolly denied he was referring specifically to Johnson, the Dockers coach claimed there was a growing trend within the AFL to exaggerate injury to try and gain a free kick or a 50m penalty.

"I have seen a lot more of that this year, and I guess if it continues to happen the AFL will need to address it," Connolly said.