THE NEW rules are on the minds of many in the AFL, but champion Richmond defender Alex Rance wants to ensure his side doesn't "throw the baby out with the bathwater".
There's been plenty of winning for the Tigers since the start of 2017, having gone 33-11 in that time, including a flag.
They used the 6-6-6 formation that will now be compulsory at centre bounces just 3.4 per cent of the time last year, however Rance doesn't want to see an overhaul of the gameplan.
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"We know that the season we had last year and the last couple of seasons have been based around football in general, not so much just umpiring decisions and things like that," Rance said on Friday.
"When these rules come in, I think it's important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater and rejig gameplans, because at the end of day, I think football always regresses back to that point of just playing the game."
Rance's first competitive outing of the year will be on Friday night when he represents the Flyers in the AFLX, with some supporters worried their team's players will be injured.
That possibility was discussed among Rance's new teammates, and while they want to win, it won't be at all costs.
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"I think it's all common sense. We're not going to be dump tackling and going third man in and all that sort of stuff, because we know our priority is for our club, but I think you'll see the competitive juices come out," Rance said.
Fellow Tiger Jack Riewoldt will captain the Rampage despite a recent root canal, which Rance joked he would target.
"I'll be giving him a bit of chin music when I go for a few spoils," Rance said.
Rance, who has made the All Australian side for five straight seasons, expects Trent Cotchin to once again skipper Richmond, with himself and Riewoldt as deputies.
"I think it'll just be Jack, Trent and myself, pretty similar," Rance said.
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The 29-year-old is enjoying the new rules, particularly allowing hands in the back.
"I really like what they've done. They make sense, especially the hands in the back, being able to place your hands in the back to hold your ground," Rance said.
"(Forearm in the back) was an awkward way to get into a contest. Now it's far more natural."
