Nathan Brown says defenders' games will be hurt by the new interpretation of free kicks Collingwood defender Nathan Brown says the tightening of some rules will hurt defenders. COLLINGWOOD'S Nathan Brown believes defenders may have to change the way they contest with opponents after what appears to be an interpretation tightening on free kicks. Champion Data has revealed there have been more goals scored from free kicks this year than at any stage since it started recording stats in 1999. And the number of defensive 50m free kicks against are also the highest in that time. Brown said he had sensed a change, especially with hands in the back and the chopping of the arms rules. But instead of complaining about it, he said defenders had to adapt their approach or run the risk of being regularly penalised. "We have to change our mind-set and that might take a full season to achieve that," Brown said yesterday. Maybe that is why there are probably a lot of free kicks being paid at the moment. The free kicks - hands in the back and the chop of the hands - are being called a little easier. You don't have to do much to get it called against you. You almost have to say to a defender that sometimes instead of thinking about your man, you might have to go for the ball yourself. You can get angry about it, but realistically it is not going to change. You have to adapt and beat the system the other way. The Magpies conceded two goals from free kicks in 74 seconds _ one against Brown to Scott Gumbleton and another against Ben Reid to Tom Bellchambers _ late in the third term of the Anzac Day clash. Brown insisted the free-kick against him was warranted _ ``I think mine was there. Brown, 24, admitted Collingwood's capacity to be scored against by Essendon and Hawthorn had been addressed internally. The Magpies have conceded an average of 106 points this season and have been the third easiest team to score a goal against once inside 50 at 29.7 per cent. He insisted the entire group knows what the problem is, and how to fix it, ahead of tonight's game with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. "Bucks (coach Nathan Buckley) has made it very clear what needs to be done and the players are very eager to not let him down or each other down," he said. It is more about team defence across the field rather than just the back six. Realistically, if the forwards don't hold up their end of the bargain, then it affects the mids. And if the mids don't hold up their end of the bargain, then it affects the backs. We are all to blame. The Magpies' depth has been challenged, but Brown said the team had to stop the momentum swings. "It is all about the wise heads putting the breaks on and changing the style of footy out on the field," he said. After playing in a flag side in his 50th game, Brown endured serious injuries to both knees in 2011. He played 18 matches last year, but is only now starting to feel much more confident in his body and athleticism. "People think you do your knee and you are back in 12 months, but it is really 24 months until you are back playing the footy you want to be playing," he said. I think that is where I am at right now. The difference from my last game last year to the first game this year has been a difference in my explosive power and speed. I'm only 24. I feel like it is time for me to show a bit of leadership and to grow as a player. Brown is confident the Magpies can regain their consistency, starting with tonight's game. "We have to start playing a more consistent game across four quarters," he said. The thing is we don't want to be the best now; we want to be the best in September.