THE CONTENTIOUS "third man up" in ruck contests will be discussed at the AFL's annual laws summit to be held at the NAB AFL Draft.

Coaches will once again be asked their view on the issue that was examined in 2015 without any consensus being reached.

At that time there was a belief that the practice helped clear congestion, although many coaches were concerned about whether it left ruckmen exposed in the contest.

Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands was suspended in the 2016 NAB Challenge series for bumping into Richmond's Ben Griffiths after the Tiger came into the contest as the "third man up".

After the incident Dockers coach Ross Lyon expressed his concern about a ruckman's ability to protect himself in such situations.

Then umpires' boss Wayne Campbell (now football manager at the Giants) conceded it would be easier for umpires to adjudicate ruck contests if "third man up" was banned.

Illegal disposal is also likely to be discussed at the annual event.

Most coaches and experts acknowledge it is very difficult to adjudicate what is correct disposal in contested situations, with the topic expected to be debated strongly at the summit.

The AFL began holding laws of the game summits towards the end of November several years ago to ensure input from coaches.

Other areas that caused controversy during 2016 were the deliberate rule, both for rushed behinds and out of bounds, adjudication of the 10m protection zone and the sliding rule.