THE AFL's rule changes for 2014 will have a major impact on how teams draft and develop their players, says Melbourne defender Colin Garland.

Two key changes have been slated for next season – the introduction of the contentious interchange cap and the League's crackdown on team runners.

Clubs will only be able to make 120 rotations per game from next season, while the AFL will allow each team just one runner in 2014, down from two.

That adds to the substitute rule which was launched before the 2011 season, in a bid to reduce congestion around the ground.

Speaking candidly to AFL.com.au, Garland believes these specific changes will influence the type of player clubs target in the draft, and the way young players are blooded once in the system.

"The game's never been tougher for an 18-year-old to come in and play," Garland said.

"There'll probably be more of an onus on younger players to develop at lower levels and you'll probably find – which we have found over the last few years – a lot of mature guys get drafted.

"With those rules and the way the lists are, you just can't afford to have that many young blokes on your list."

The Demons have already focused on their plans to adjust to the impending interchange cap and Garland believes teams will employ certain tactics in a bid to get an advantage over their rivals.

"You'll probably see a lot of midfielders spend a lot of time up forward," he said.

"All these gun midfielders – like (Trent) Cotchin and (Gary) Ablett – might end up playing deep forward for a bit, a la what Kevin Bartlett used to do."

Garland also thinks clubs might be forced to examine the trend of starting their star players on the bench at the start of games in an attempt to shake an opponent's tag.

Given the rationing of rotations that needs to take place, Garland said the AFL had reached a suitable figure.

"As a player we've sort of got used to it now. When it was going to be 80 (rotations) I think that was going to be ridiculous, but 120 is more realistic," he said.

Converting athletes into footballers has been one way clubs have adapted to the changing landscape of the game, according to Garland.

Garland said players such as Geelong's Mark Blicavs – a former steeplechaser – have singlehandedly altered the way clubs have approached their drafting processes.

However, Garland hopes the rule changes won't stop players with AFL-level ability from playing at the highest level.

"You don't want to see guys not given the opportunity, that you know can play AFL, but they can't get a game because of fitness reasons with the rotations," he said.

"When you get drafted now you've got to be able to run, otherwise you just can't play AFL."