AFL STARS have lashed out at the new rule banning the 'third man up' at ruck contests. 

Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge tweeted shortly after the AFL announced the rule change on Wednesday, declaring it "ridiculous". 

Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield backed up that sentiment minutes later, referring to Hodge's tweet when he said: "What every player is thinking!" 

Mark Blicavs joined in with a humorous tweet: "Officially announcing my retirement from the game effective immediately".

Blicavs has good reason to say that – he had almost 100 more hit-outs than any other player this year when going into a ruck contest as 'third man up'.

Hawthorn was a similarly prominent user of the tactic, with Jordan Lewis (now at Melbourne) ranked No. 5.

The AFL had been concerned about ruckmen being injured by someone else coming over the top of the contest.

Coaches were split about whether a rule change was necessary at the AFL laws summit in November.