As debate over the style of games continues to swirl, players believe it's too early to embrace suggestions designed to help ease on-field congestion.

AFL greats Leigh Matthews, Kevin Bartlett, Garry Lyon and Kevin Sheedy are among those who have expressed concerns about the standard of the game, with another champion Wayne Carey even calling for the minimum distance for a legal kick to be extended from 15 metres to 25 metres in a bid to curb the number of chip kicks.

AFL operations chief Mark Evans has said there is anecdotal evidence there is greater congestion at stoppages this season, after claims the game was resembling rugby’s rolling mauls.

Statistics back this observation, with the number of stoppages leaping to 65.7 per game, up from 62.6 last season. This has risen from 53.6 in 2000 and a dramatic rise from 47.6 in 2006, when the Swans were the benchmark team for slowing play down.

As his side prepares for the Anzac Day clash with Collingwood, Thompson admitted on Tuesday not all matches this season had been a great spectacle.

"I think some games look ugly and some games look great. Yesterday's game (between Hawthorn and Geelong) was a showpiece,'' he said.

"It’s exactly what we want, and there were 36 people on the field at the one time. If we can get sides better and playing more like those two teams, the competition would be a lot healthier."

The AFL will seek input from clubs on the best way to try to open up play. Suggestions include forcing players into zones inside the 50-metre arcs at stoppages and having four players behind the back of the centre square at kick-ins.

Acting Players Association chief Ian Prendergast said more evidence was needed before any radical change to the rules could be considered.

"Players and the PA will be consulted as we are every year throughout the laws of the game review process. We also have a player representative on the laws of the game committee, Beau Waters, and are kept informed of any discussions taking place by the AFL," he said.

"We are aware of the concerns being raised by some commentators about congestion in the game and suggestions to make the game more open.

"Considering we are only five rounds in, it's too early to be making any definitive comments about the state of the game.

"We will continue to monitor any trends that are emerging closely and consult with players on any issues that the laws of the game committee are considering."

Congestion is not a new issue but the problem continues to frustrate supporters who want to see the best midfielders find space and create at stoppages.

The AFL had been so concerned about congestion in 2011 that league bosses considered trialling 16 players in a team in the NAB Cup. The average number of stoppages per game in 2011 was 64.4. That worry eased in 2012 (63.8 per game) and 2013 (62.6) but has resurfaced this year.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said he expects play to open up as the season progresses.

"Defensively every side is strong at the start of the year. They have worked incredibly hard at getting their system right," he said on Channel Seven's Talking Footy.

"We had a patch last year where we were the same. We were 3-3 after six rounds but eventually it winds back, fatigue sets into sides, and the game opens up a bit.

"We are probably seeing it at the moment with the style of game because they are very congested. But we think the game will eventually open up and that's when we will see some better footy, not only from us but from other teams as well."

Concerns over the number of stoppages come as what has been dubbed the hard tag has returned to football, with the likes of Ryan Crowley and Brent Macaffer spending most of the match with the primary focus of shutting down the opposition's best midfielder.