MELBOURNE is hoping to ward off outside interest in ruckman Mark Jamar, approaching his management to start contract negotiations.

Jamar, 28, is out of contract at the end of 2012 after signing a two-year contract in June 2010. The parties met for the first time last week.

"It is good - the season hasn't even started and the club has gone to my manager and I don't think that has ever happened to me before," Jamar said. "It's good in a way. You feel important and you know you are a required player so that is a good feeling."

While the discussions are at an early stage, Jamar said he hoped they could work things out quickly.

"I'm a Melbourne player and that is where I want to play the rest of my footy," he said.

Although Jamar was enthusiastic about signing a new deal with the Demons, he was less enthused about the new ruck rule being trialled in this year's NAB Cup.

When asked about the rule, the 28-year-old said: "I don't like going away from the traditional side of footy but that is not my decision to make."

Jamar, who will line up for the Demons this week against Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions in the opening round of the NAB Cup, said the team had not had a heavy focus on preparing for the rule during the pre-season.

The new rule was applied during Melbourne's intra-club match last Friday and Jamar admitted it would be interesting to see how clubs adapted to it. But he added he was looking forward to round one when the "real rules kick in."

In the NAB Cup, ruckmen will not be permitted to make contact with their opponent prior to bounces and throw-ins, with umpires ensuring the players do not make contact until the ball leaves the umpire’s hand. The trial is designed to encourage ruckmen to contest the ball, rather than focus on nullifying their opponent, as well as making ruck contests easier to adjudicate.

Jamar is a strong ruckman who likes to own the drop zone using his strength to hit the ball to the advantage of his teammates. Any change to the rules would be likely to have a significant impact on the way he played the game. He was All Australian in 2010 before a posterior cruciate ligament disrupted his 2011 season. 

He is a critical player for Melbourne, particularly with two of its young ruckmen Max Gawn (out for season) and Jake Spencer (out for eight weeks) already on the club's long-term injury list.

He expects to get support from Stefan Martin, who emerged in Jamar's absence in 2011, and youngster Jack Fitzpatrick, who made his debut in the final round last season.

Jamar said the club's focus on is on round one and he does not expect to play every game in the NAB Cup.

Peter Ryan writes for AFL.com.au and the AFL Record. Follow him on Twitter at AFL_petryan.