ALTHOUGH Demon big man Max Gawn shapes to benefit from players being banned from going 'third man up' at ruck contests, his coach Simon Goodwin's enthusiasm for the new rule remains luke-warm.
Goodwin suspects more congestion may exist around the ball because of the change, at least initially, despite statistics suggesting clearance rates aren't impacted.
But Goodwin is not complaining because he knows an unimpeded run may help the 208cm All Australian Gawn take advantage of his height in ruck contests.
His view, however, is more a concern for the big picture.
"Anytime you have got a really influential ruckman that no one can jump up against, it is going to be an advantage of some sort so we are excited by that. But in some ways I'm a little disappointed it's out of the game as well," Goodwin said.
It also removes one of the effective arrows new recruit Jordan Lewis used to carry in his quiver, with the midfielder an expert at going 'third man up'.
But Goodwin is a pragmatist, understanding he has more to worry about than rule changes at this stage of his senior coaching career.
"The game will end up being the game," Goodwin said.
He said he was comfortable with a new penalty being trialled for deliberate rushed behinds during the first two rounds of the JLT Community Series.
"It's important that we continue to trial rules in the game. It's worth trialling and having a look at. I don't think there will be many instances where it occurs but I think there will be two or three [transgressions] we will get a good look at," Goodwin said.
Goodwin pragmatic about 'third man up' rule
Simon Goodwin isn't worrying about loss of third man up