RICHMOND ruckman Ivan Maric does not believe the AFL needs to create a rule to stop the third-man up at a ball-up or boundary throw-in.
The third-man up has been controversial since the Cats used it to their advantage in 2015, with tall midfielder Mark Blicavs causing havoc and confusion at the stoppage.
Fremantle big man Aaron Sandilands was suspended for engaging in rough conduct with Richmond's Ben Griffiths while Griffiths entered a ball-up as the third man in last Friday night's NAB Challenge match in Mandurah.
Maric told Melbourne radio station SEN on Friday morning it is a complex debate but the rules do not need to change.
“[The third-man up] does provide a bit of variety in the game, which is good and exciting and gets the ball outside the contest," he said.
“No one likes being jumped into and getting a knee in the back [though].
"I think just leave it the way it is."
Maric, 30, missed only one game in 2015 and said he was ready for the season ahead.
"I pretty much did the whole pre-season and the body's feeling really good," he said.
Hands off the third-man up: Maric
Tiger ruckman says the AFL does not need to ban the third-man up