Unleash the shackles: Lyon's plan to boost AFL scoring

The 6-6-6 rule means teams can no longer flood back before a centre throw-up, while the controversial stand rule is one way the AFL hoped to decrease congestion and speed up play.

This year, the AFL introduced the last disposal out of bounds rule, and average scores per game are currently higher than in previous seasons.

Ahead of the 2021 season, the AFL reduced the cap on interchanges to 75 per team per match.

The theory was that fewer rotations would lead to more player fatigue, which in turn would open up the game by making it harder for players to flood back or congest.

But with a slate of other new rules now in place, Lyon reckons player fatigue is actually a factor that is limiting scoring potential, rather than aiding it.

"I think maybe the interchange restriction is limiting the ability to get the ball to open space now," Lyon said.

"It seems ... a bit counterintuitive, those restrictions, because the game's open and you need to run, but they're putting fatigue into the players when now you probably don't need to.

"You need to be able to run to take advantage of (the new rules).

"So maybe they should look at releasing the shackles. Maybe the AFL dives into 'do we unleash the rotations ... and teams are kicking 120, 130, 140 points?'"

St Kilda (4-5) are currently stuck in a mid-table logjam, but they will start as hot favourites against injury-hit Richmond (1-8) at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

The Saints will unveil Charlie Banfield - the son of West Coast premiership winner Drew Banfield - for his AFL debut.

Jack Higgins returns after missing a fortnight through concussion, but Mitch Owens (calf) has been ruled out and Mason Wood was omitted.

The Tigers have 17 players on their injury list and will unleash Noah Roberts-Thomson for his AFL debut this Sunday.

Liam Fawcett and Sam Grlj have also been included, with Kane McAuliffe (Achilles), Tom Brown (forearm) and Mykelti Lefau (managed) all going out.