Three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse has praised the AFL’s ban on the third man up in ruck contests, believing the controversial rule change will open up the game around stoppages.
The former Western Bulldogs, West Coast and Collingwood coach says that one of the core aims of football should be to keep it accessible to people of all sizes, including tall tap ruckmen who he considers were disadvantaged by the continual rise of the now-illegal tactic.
“I really think it’s a very good rule,” Malthouse said on SEN Breakfast.
“We want the game to be accessible to all sorts, whether they be Aaron Sandilands-size down to Brent Harvey-size.
“We’ve taken away, in the last half a dozen years, the advantage of being a good ruckman because you just lock in, third man up comes over and it negates a good ruckman.
“In this case now, the ruckman can ruck and the mids and followers, the players around the ball, have to now read that play.”
Malthouse considers that the third man up ban could result in a faster, free-flowing game of footy.
“It may open up the game around stoppages,” he said.
“(Ruckmen) have to be able to use your body but you also have to have your midfielders in prime position and be able to open up that space for you.
“Scoring may be slightly easier and clearances will definitely be easier.”
Malthouse believes that West Coast could be the hardest hit by the rule change, with their two leading ruckmen, Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett, set to miss the early part of the season due to knee injuries.
“What sort of impact will that have on their assault on making the eight?” he said.
“It will be tough.”
On the flipside, Cameron Mooney believes the change could favour Melbourne All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn.
“Max Gawn as a tap ruckman is arguably one of the best in the competition,” he said.
“With no third man up, what is that going to do for a midfield with Jordan Lewis coming in?
“All of a sudden can Melbourne score heavily off the back of stoppages because of Max Gawn?”
Click here to view Nic Naitanui's SEN Inside Football AFL Player Ratings.
Click here to view Scott Lycett's SEN Inside Football AFL Player Ratings.
Click here to view Max Gawn's SEN Inside Football AFL Player Ratings.