GREATER Western Sydney's most important player Shane Mumford believes the AFL's rules committee has put the aesthetics of the game ahead of the wellbeing of ruckmen.
In an exclusive chat with AFL.com.au, the injured Giant said giving the third-man-up free reign at stoppages leaves the game's big men in the firing line, and he would be satisfied if the tactic was banned all together.
Over the past fortnight, AFL umpires have cracked down on players blocking third-men-up from contesting ball-ups, leaving ruckman wide open with a 'free hit' target on their back.
Mumford said the interpretation had been bought in to keep the game moving and lessen congestion, and he's not happy about it.
"That's something I've hated for a very long time," Mumford said at the launch of a new McDonald's Sherrin promotion.
"I don't mind them (third-men-up) coming in but you should be allowed to stop them from jumping, if you're one of the midfielders.
"All you're doing is trying to protect your ruckman.
"There's nothing worse than wrestling with the other ruckman and one of their teammates jumps up and puts a knee in your back.
"I think yes let them do it, but if you let them jump, you should be able to block them, or just stop the third-man-up all together and let the ruckmen fight it out."
The GWS star does agree with the centre circle being altered in a bid to protect ruckmen from collision knee injuries, but still thinks his game has suffered because of it.
The 2012 premiership Swan says if it's not broken, why try to fix it.
"They've tried to change things too much with their rule interpretations - I was happy with the game the way it used to be," Mumford said.
"We've had to change with every different rule they've bought in.
"It started with the (centre) circle, now the third-man-up, (and) they're pinging the bloke who is trying to help and protect his teammate.
"It actually changes the way you ruck, it's taking me away from using my body and trying to win the ball myself, I'm just trying to nullify the opposition's third-man-up.
"I'd much rather be standing there one-on-one without worrying about someone else."
While slightly frustrated, an honest and frank Mumford said it was just another challenge for players, and he and his fellow bigs would change accordingly.
He cited his two-game suspension for rough conduct after a heavy sling tackle on ex-Geelong star Gary Ablett in 2010 as evidence.
"It's like everything, we just have to adapt, like the way I used to tackle - it started with the (Gary) Ablett one years ago, when I got rubbed out," Mumford said.
"Instead of tackling to hurt, now it's just tackling to take them to ground and sometimes not even taking them to ground because you risk them hitting their head.
"Footy is an ever-changing game."
However, the Giants' reigning club champion doesn't believe ruckmen were in danger of becoming extinct.
"I don't think it's ever going to change that much," Mumford said.
"I think ruckmen these days are more mobile - look at Todd Goldstein, he's having an outstanding year, you've basically got to be able to do it all.
"You can't be a one-trick pony anymore, you have to be able to have a few things to your game, whether it be going forward and kicking goals, or being that hard, aggressive, inside player. You can't be a tap ruckman anymore."
